Joe Montemurro defends “purely football” decision to reinstate Sam Kerr as Australia captain | OneFootball

Sam Kerr during the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Sipa USA via USA TODAY Sports

Sam Kerr reclaimed the captain’s armband for Australia against England on Tuesday night.

And Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro said it was an internal decision based solely on football.

“We’ve made a decision internally for what we believe is the best for football performance and for the group,” he said in a post-match press conference, responding to a question that suggested that some of the Australian public were not happy with the reversion of the captaincy to Kerr following her lengthy absence through injury.

“I make football decisions. I’m not going to make any political decisions, purely football. Sam is an important part of what we’re trying to do.

“As far as we’re concerned,we just kept the status quo going forward, and we’re happy with her continuing on as captain.”

Ellie Carpenter: Sam has always been our captain

Alongside him, senior player Ellie Carpenter welcomed Kerr’s return.

“Sam has always been our captain,” she said. “Obviously she was out for a very long time. Having her presence back in this squad is very important for us. She’s a big player. She’s very important to the team, she brings a lot of experience.

“For us, she’s changed football in Australia. Having her on the team is a massive boost for us.”

Arsenal’s Steph Catley had captained the side during Kerr’s injury layoff.

Football Australia had said earlier in the year that Kerr would face no further sanctions from them for a behavioural incident that resulted in a court case in England, and that they described as “not her best moment”.

“Setting aside those difficulties, this one incident should not offset the incredible contributions she has made, both publicly and privately, on and off the field, for more than 15 years,” said Football Australia chair Anter Isaac.

Sam Kerr: We stuck together

Kerr could lead her side only to a 3-0 defeat against England. Australia were reduced to ten players in the first half when Alanna Kennedy was sent off for a foul on Alessia Russo in front of goal.

“It’s tough to go down to ten men against a good team like England,” Kerr said. “We didn’t really even get to show what we had or what we worked on in the last week.

“It’s really hard to judge the game, because we had such a different plan for the game. I thought to only concede the one in the second half, the penalty at the end, that was positive.”

And in news that will please Chelsea fans, Kerr reported that she felt physically well after the match.

“It’s funny because I played the most minutes I’ve played, but felt better than I did against Wales even though I had a longer field in. Coming back from injury, one day you feel good, one day you don’t. Today I felt good, so disappointing that we had to play with ten men for the whole game.

“It’s a journey. I’m trying to get 90-minute fit, but it’s not about me tonight. The girls put in a good shift and there are a few sore bodies out there.

“The positives are that we stuck together as a team and there was no finger-pointing, it was just get on with it and get the job done.

“We conceded three, but it’s hard, this is one of the best teams in the world.”