Matildas boss Joe Montemurro reveals plans for Sam Kerr captaincy call, Mary Fowler return

Joe Montemurro is confident Mary Fowler will be fit and firing for next year’s Women’s Asian Cup as the new Matildas boss said he won’t make a decision on Sam Kerr’s future as captain until she returns to play.

Montemurro, who was unveiled as Australia coach in Sydney on Monday on a three-year deal, declared that under his watch the Matildas would be a team that attacks and takes risks regardless of who they face.

But Australia’s fortunes in the final third will hinge on the fitness of Kerr and Fowler, both of whom have been sidelined with anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the time since the 2023 World Cup.

Kerr has not played for Australia in close to two years after suffering a knee injury in December 2024.

The Chelsea striker, 31, has returned to training over recent months but has yet to play a game.

Her role as the captain of the side was questioned when details of her conduct during a drunken run-in with UK police were aired during a trial earlier this year.

Kerr was found not guilty of racially vilifying a London officer but there was speculation Football Australia might strip her of the role. It subsequently endorsed Kerr returning to the team once fit with no further sanction.

“My intention is to sit down with all the players, even the extended squad, and map out a process of what’s required to play the brand of football that we want to play from a physical and a mental perspective,” Montemurro said.

“You can get fit, you can get right tactically but then some players go through processes where (they ask) are they mentally prepared for a big tournament?

“Sam fits into that scenario where we’re just going to monitor and see where she’s at.

“Let’s get her fit then we’ll have those discussions (over the captaincy).”

Fowler, meanwhile, suffered her rupture in April, leaving the 22-year-old Manchester City attacker facing a race against the clock to get fit for a home Asian Cup in March next year.

“Mary’s a special player and I can tell you from a club perspective, she’s in the eye of a lot of the big clubs,” Montemurro said.

“It’s unfortunate for her, it happens, but she’s in probably the best environment with the City Group.

“From a physical and from a training load (perspective) and from a return to play scenario, she’ll be right and hopefully she’ll be right for the Asian Cup.”