A GENDER debate has erupted in the search for the next Australian women's football coach, with revelations that members of the Matildas squad wrote to the Football Federation of Australia indicating their preference for a male coach.
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Fairfax Media understands the letter to the FFA requested that Matildas players be given a say on the replacement for the outgoing coach, Tom Sermanni.
The letter, which was sent last month, purported to be on behalf of the Matildas team, but did not have the support of the whole squad and has shocked people at all levels of the sport's administration, as well as fellow players.
The FFA declined to comment when Fairfax Media inquired about the letter, although it is understood it did not affect the FFA's recruitment or selection criteria of the new coach, with an announcement expected before the end of the year.
There has been speculation about whether the FFA would take the opportunity to appoint one of the highly credentialled female candidates to replace Sermanni, who had great respect from his players but moved on to lead the US women's national team.
Many of the Matildas players have never been coached by a female. Sermanni has led the Matildas for the past eight years, and the W-League and state-level development programs around the country have mostly male coaches in charge.
But with a number of women in the mix to take over from Sermanni, it is believed the letter was a reaction from some players fearing change.
Canberra United's Jitka Klimkova is one of the candidates interviewed for the job, having led United to the W-League title undefeated last season.
Klimkova was one of three W-League coaches confirmed to have interviewed for the Matildas position, along with Melbourne Victory's Mike Mulvey and Sydney FC coach Alen Stajcic.
Mulvey has since been appointed to take over from Rado Vidosic as head coach of Brisbane Roar in the men's A-League until the end of the season, raising questions about his availability for the Matildas.
Other international coaches thought to be under consideration include two Dutch women, Hesterine de Reus and Vera Pauw.
Klimkova would not be drawn into discussions about the Matildas job on Thursday, maintaining focus on Saturday's clash with top-of-the-table Perth Glory.
