According to a report Monday morning by ESPN, the USWNT coaching search hit a snag recently as they were rebuffed by Arsenal after hoping to court coach Joe Montemurro.
The report states that the federation identified Montemurro as a possible candidate and received interest from the Australian, but were stopped in their tracks when Arsenal refused to let their head man engage in talks.
The USWNT is currently searching for a replacement for Jill Ellis who announced she will step down after the World Cup “Victory Tour” concludes. The last scheduled USWNT match currently on the docket is a November 10 battle with Costa Rica in Jacksonville.
Montemurro has led Arsenal Women since taking over for Pedro Martinez Losa in November of 2017. In his first season with the club he led them to the Women’s League Cup title and the final of the Women’s FA Cup, before winning the 2018/19 league title in his first full season in charge, including a stretch of nine straight victories that saw the club score 42 goals while conceding just five. They currently top the table after the first three matches of the new season, level with Manchester City on points but ahead on goal differential.
Before coaching at Arsenal, Montemurro led Melbourne City to back-to-back Australian top flight titles in the club’s first two years of existence, including an undefeated inaugural campaign.
The 50-year-old signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal last October, leaving the club in charge of his future and allowing them to deny the USWNT an interview.