SYDNEY, Aug 1 (Bernama-dpa) -- Football Australia on Thursday announced that Tony Gustavsson was out as the coach of the women's national team hours after the Matildas failed to make the knock-out stage of the Olympics for the first time since Sydney 2000, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.
"Following the conclusion of the Matildas’ Olympic campaign, Head Coach Tony Gustavsson's four-year contract with Football Australia has also come to an end by mutual agreement," the governing body said in a statement.
"Gustavsson addressed the players and staff following the final group stage match against the United States to farewell them and wish them every success with their futures."
The Australians, who were fourth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, lost 3-0 to Rio 2016 gold medallists Germany in their opener and pulled off an incredible comeback from 5-2 down to defeat Zambia 6-5 in the second-highest scoring women's game in Olympic history.
A 2-1 loss to the USA on Wednesday left the Matildas in third place with three points in their group, however, fellow third-placed Colombia and Brazil made the cut for the knockout stage over them in virtue of a better goal difference.
"It has been a great honour and privilege to have been able to be the head coach of the Matildas over the past four years," Gustavsson said. "This journey with the team has had many incredible moments and memories that I will forever treasure."
Football Australia boss James Johnson said the body would conduct a thorough review of the Paris Olympics campaign to "identify areas for improvement and ensure we are well-prepared for future challenges."
"The process for the recruitment of the Matildas head coach will also commence immediately," Johnson added.
-- BERNAMA-dpa
