Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni calls discussions about Sam Kerr’s captaincy future ‘irrelevant’

Everyone seems to be speaking about Sam Kerr — besides, seemingly the Matildas themselves.

Kerr’s standing as captain looms over the nationwide staff regardless of the celebrity’s ongoing absence by means of damage, forward of their first video games since her high-profile trial.

Interim coach Tom Sermanni, talking for the primary time since Kerr was discovered not responsible of racially aggravated harassment within the UK final week, says he and the taking part in group have not formally mentioned Kerr’s scenario.

Soccer Australia final week issued an announcement supporting Kerr, however did not reference whether or not she would face sanctions below its code of conduct and ethics, or if her captaincy would come below query.

Sermanni insists whether or not Kerr retains the captaincy is “irrelevant”, given he will not be in cost when she returns, which will not be till at the very least April’s friendlies in opposition to South Korea.

“Crucial half is we get Sam wholesome as shortly and as safely as potential, and get her again on the sphere,” he mentioned on Thursday, forward of Friday’s SheBelieves Cup opener in opposition to Japan.

“To be sincere, and notably in relation to me, the captaincy challenge is form of fairly irrelevant, as a result of by the point she comes again into the staff I may not be right here.

“So there’s actually no level in me commenting on that … actually, from my perspective, from the staff’s perspective, it is one thing that is actually not that related in the mean time.

“And, to be sincere, Steph Catley’s stepped in as captain and completed a implausible job. So for us it is simply getting on, getting ready for this match this week, and once more wanting ahead to 2026.”

Sermanni confirmed he and Kerr had been in contact by way of textual content since her trial completed.

However he was clearly pissed off after a number of questions concerning the captaincy, together with whether or not he could be snug with Kerr retaining the position.

“How that call will get made, who makes it, and who’s all concerned in it, I actually do not know in the mean time as a result of it is actually fully and completely not a part of our focus. As a result of at this minute in time, Sam is injured,” he mentioned.

“She’s been injured for 13 months, hasn’t performed a global for 16 months, and the staff is simply getting on with its regular enterprise.

“So it is not a part of the dialog. When and if it does turn into a part of the dialog, then I will know extra about how that course of works.”

If Kerr returns whereas Sermanni continues to be in cost, he would function in any potential captaincy discussions.

“If there are going to be discussions then I’d clearly be concerned in them, as a result of I would be concerned in any discussions across the staff that influence the staff and influence gamers,” he mentioned.

“So if that was to occur and any selections had been made, then clearly I’d be occasion to that decision-making course of.”

Soccer Australia’s seek for Tony Gustavsson’s everlasting alternative has dragged past six months.

Sermanni stays unsure how lengthy he’ll stay at his submit however steered possible “between now and the center of this yr, there will be anyone else within the scorching seat.”

For now, he’s charged with preparation for subsequent yr’s house Asian Cup.

That begins with an imposing SheBelieves Cup opener with Japan in Houston on Friday morning AEDT, earlier than video games in opposition to the USA and Colombia.

The Nadeshiko have a brand new coach, Nils Nielsen, with former Younger Matildas coach Leah Blayney his assistant.

“He may simply add a couple of various things, however I do not count on Japan to return out and play a lot in a different way than after they usually play,” Sermanni mentioned.

“I simply hope they’ve an off day.”

AAP