Tom Sermanni facts for kids
Sermanni in 2019
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Dorby Sermanni | ||
| Date of birth | 1 July 1954 | ||
| Place of birth | Glasgow, Scotland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1971–1973 | Cumbernauld United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1973–1978 | Albion Rovers | 151 | (38) |
| 1978–1979 | Blackpool | 10 | (0) |
| 1979–1982 | Torquay United | 89 | (12) |
| 1982–1983 | Dunfermline Athletic | 5 | (0) |
| 1983 | Marconi | 30 | (3) |
| 1984–1987 | Canberra City | 72 | (7) |
| 1988–1989 | Canberra Croatia | ||
| Total | 357 | (60) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1988–1991 | Canberra Croatia/Metros (player-manager) | ||
| 1989–1991 | Australian Schoolboys | ||
| 1991–1992 | Australian Institute of Sport | ||
| 1992 | Westfields Sports High School | ||
| 1993–1994 | Sydney Olympic FC | ||
| 1994–1997 | Australia women | ||
| 1997–1999 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima (assistant) | ||
| 1999–2001 | Canberra Cosmos | ||
| 2001–2002 | San Jose CyberRays (assistant) | ||
| 2003 | New York Power | ||
| 2003 | Sarawak (director of coaching) | ||
| 2004 | Westfields Sports High School | ||
| 2005–2008 | Australia men (scout) | ||
| 2005–2012 | Australia women | ||
| 2013–2014 | United States women | ||
| 2014 | Canada women (technical consultant) | ||
| 2015 | Canada women (assistant) | ||
| 2016–2018 | Orlando Pride | ||
| 2018–2021 | New Zealand women | ||
| 2024–2025 | Australia women (interim) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Thomas "Tom" Sermanni (born 1 July 1954) is a Scottish football manager and former professional player. He is well-known for coaching women's football teams around the world. He has managed the Australia women's national team (the Matildas) three times. He also coached the United States women's national team, the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League, and the New Zealand women's national team.
Contents
- Tom Sermanni's Playing Career
- Tom Sermanni's Coaching Journey
- Coaching Australian Clubs
- Coaching in the USA: WUSA League (2001–2003)
- Leading the Australia Women's National Team
- Coaching the United States Women's National Team
- Working with the Canada Women's National Team
- Coaching in the National Women's Soccer League
- Leading the New Zealand Women's National Team
- Returning to Australia's Football Scene
- Tom Sermanni's Managerial Achievements
Tom Sermanni's Playing Career
Tom Sermanni was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He played as a midfielder for many football clubs. He played in Scotland, England, Australia, and New Zealand. Some of his teams included Albion Rovers, Blackpool, and Torquay United. He also played for Canberra City in Australia.
Tom Sermanni's Coaching Journey
Coaching Australian Clubs
Sermanni coached several Australian club teams. These included Canberra Metros and Canberra Cosmos.
Coaching in the USA: WUSA League (2001–2003)
In 2001, Tom Sermanni became an assistant coach for the San Jose CyberRays in the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). The CyberRays won the league's first championship that year. In 2003, he became the head coach for the New York Power. The team had a tough season before he joined. With Sermanni as coach, the team improved their performance.
Leading the Australia Women's National Team
Tom Sermanni took on the role of coach for the Australia women's team (the Matildas) in December 2004. He had actually coached them before, from 1994 to 1997.
During his time as coach, the Matildas achieved great success. They reached the quarter-finals at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. They also made it to the quarter-finals again at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Coaching the United States Women's National Team
On 30 October 2012, it was announced that Sermanni would become the head coach of the United States women's national team. He started this new role on 1 January 2013. This meant he left his long connection with Australia.
In his first year with the USA team, Sermanni had a fantastic record. The team was unbeaten, with 13 wins and 3 draws. They also won the 2013 Algarve Cup, a major international tournament.
However, at the 2014 Algarve Cup, the USA team did not win any games in the group stage. They finished seventh overall, which was their lowest finish ever in that tournament. Because of these results, Sermanni left his coaching duties on 6 April 2014.
Working with the Canada Women's National Team
In 2014, Sermanni joined the coaching staff of the Canada women's national team. He worked as a technical consultant, helping the team with their strategies. He was also an assistant coach for Canada during the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Coaching in the National Women's Soccer League
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On 20 October 2015, Orlando City SC announced they were starting a new women's team called Orlando Pride. This team would join the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2016. Tom Sermanni was chosen to be the first coach for this new club.
After the 2018 season, where the Orlando Pride finished in 7th place, Sermanni and the club decided to part ways. During his three seasons in Orlando, he led the team to 24 wins, 29 losses, and 14 draws. They also made it to the playoffs in 2017.
Leading the New Zealand Women's National Team
On 26 October 2018, Sermanni was appointed as the new head coach of the New Zealand women's team. He coached them until after the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Returning to Australia's Football Scene
In March 2022, Tom Sermanni took on a new role. He became the Head of Women's Football at Western Sydney Wanderers.
In September 2024, Sermanni returned to coach the Australia women's national team as an interim (temporary) head coach. He coached his 150th game with the Matildas in May 2025, when they played against Argentina. On 2 June 2025, Football Australia announced that Joe Montemurro would take over as the permanent head coach of the Matildas.
Tom Sermanni's Managerial Achievements
Team Honours
- Australia
- OFC Women's Championship: 1994
- AFF Women's Championship: 2008
- AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2010
- United States
- The Algarve Cup: 2013
- New Zealand
- OFC Women's Nations Cup: 2018
Individual Awards
- AFC Coach of the Year: 2007
- ACT Sport Hall of Fame: 2012 (Associate Member)
