Australia women's coach Tony Gustavsson emphasised his unwavering dedication to leading the team to the Paris Olympics amid recent reports suggesting his potential candidature for the role of coach for the Swedish men's side.
Hailing from Sweden, Gustavsson gained acclaim for guiding the Matildas to a commendable fourth-place finish in the recent World Cup held on home soil. Despite rumors linking him to the position of the United States women's head coach, ultimately filled by Emma Hayes, Gustavsson's focus remained on his current role.
Recent Swedish media reports indicated that Gustavsson was interviewed as a potential replacement for Janne Andersson after the men's team failed to qualify for Euro 2024. However, Gustavsson, who is under contract with Football Australia until the Olympics next year, reaffirmed his commitment to the Matildas.
In a statement, Gustavsson stated, "I'm passionate about the Matildas, and, as I have stated before, I'm fully focused on qualification and participation at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Our team's journey towards this goal is my primary focus and commitment."
Football Australia acknowledged the reports of Gustavsson's potential involvement with the Swedish men's team but chose not to comment on speculative reports or the future engagements of their staff outside their current contracts. The statement added, "Regarding the future of Tony's contract post-Paris 2024 Olympics, discussions will be held at an appropriate time in the future."