Paris Olympics 2024: Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson in spotlight as reports of discontent grow

As the Matildas prepare for a campaign-deciding clash with Women’s Football powerhouses America, rumblings of discontent within the ranks have emerged.

Australia’s Olympic Football bid to date has been shambolic, especially given this tournament is seen as the Matildas’ best chance to break a 14-year silverware drought.

They were smashed 3-0 by Germany in their opening match before surviving a heartstopping encounter with 64th-ranked Zambia after giving up four goals in the first half.

The Matildas rescued victory with a 90th-minute winner from Michelle Heyman, but much of their performance in Nice could be described as amateurish.

And as the team prepares for a do-or-die final group-stage encounter, it comes as no surprise rumours of coach Tony Gustavsson’s sacking are ripe.

Reports suggest sources inside Matilda’s camp have described Gustavsson’s management without superstar sniper Sam Kerr, who ruptured an ACL in January, as a “shitshow” with the side lacking direction and motivation.

Gustavsson has even contradicted himself in interviews, saying his charges were “ready to go” before playing Germany, only to claim they weren’t “ready” after the three-goal drubbing.

The Swedish coach’s contract is up at the end of the Olympics, and the writing may be on the wall despite the Matilda’s nation-capturing run to last year’s World Cup semifinal on home shores.

Australia’s chances of progressing into the knockout stages are slim, with the Matildas having only ever beaten the Americans once in 33 attempts.

The USA was also the side that cost them the bronze medal in Tokyo and fans will be hoping that defeat can spur Australia on when they take the field in Marseille on Wednesday morning.