Capital Football are challenged with finding a new Canberra United coach within the next two months after sacking Heather Garriock.
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As The Canberra Times revealed on Thursday, Capital Football opted not to renew Garriock's contract after failing to make the W-League finals during her three-year reign.
She will remain in charge for the last two games of the regular season against Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar, fulfilling her contract until it ends in April.
Capital Football boss Phil Brown confirmed the organisation will begin searching for a replacement immediately given the role oversees the Canberra United Academy program.
The academy plays in the top division of Canberra's Premier League competition, which kicks off on April 5.
"You don't want to rush it and jeopardise the process, you want to find the right person," Brown said.
"It's something we want to start immediately because we have responsibilities within the Canberra United Academy team in the upcoming season.
"We restructured our development pathways at the beginning of last season to create a structure where girls who came into Canberra United Academy had clear, connected pathways to the W-League.
"Whoever the new W-League coach is will have direct involvement in the academy going forward."
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Capital Football technical director Scott O'Donell, who is also the assistant coach of United's W-League side, will likely oversee the program in the meantime.
The academy has brought young players through to the W-League system, including Matildas midfielder Karly Roestbakken, Laura Hughes and Hayley Taylor-Young.
Garriock says the club need to decide whether they want to be a championship winning team or a development team when it comes to W-League investment.
Canberra appears to have been left behind in the battle for W-League supremacy after rival clubs increased their investment in the women's game.
The Western Sydney Wanderers have gone from dungeon dwellers to title contenders within twelve months, putting more money in player acquisition.
"I think the table speaks for itself, based on the top four it's the top four of spending," Garriock said.
"Look at the Wanderers, they were at the bottom of the table for the last three years in a row. They then spent $120,000 on three players and now they're in the top four.
"That's probably the best example I can give you: investment. But in saying that, I think Canberra United need to decide whether they want to be a championship winning team and if so, they need to invest.
"If they want to be a development team, then continue on the path that I've down over the last couple of years."
United have fallen short of making the W-League finals during Garriock's three-year reign, the longest finals drought in the club's history.
Canberra just missed the finals in her first season, finishing fifth in 2017-18 before slipping to eighth in 2018-19.
The team is sixth on the ladder this season with two games remaining, having won just three of 10 matches so far.
Garriock is disappointed but understands the club's decision to end her tenure, saying results are important in a performance environment.
When asked if she had enough support to get the results she was looking for this year, Garriock said she had it from coaches and the dressing room but could have had more off the field.
"I do really think the girls put in and supported me, my philosophy and the buy in," Garriock said.
"There's different logistical factors I think could have been helped with that, but that happens when you don't have a club attached to an A-League team.
"It's made it difficult, Canberra United has done the best they possible can I'm sure, but it just wasn't good enough."
Garriock told her players about her impending departure at training on Thursday morning, and says they were disappointed with the news.
"They were really sad which is normal," Garriock said.
"I know I have the support of my dressing room, I know I have the support of the leaders and that's important.
"They were super disappointed, I've had a lot of messages and contact with various different people.
"I will continue to do my job until the end of the season because I'm a professional, just like the players."