Nearly a month after his contract was terminated, former Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic has publicly broken his silence.
Through a written statement and 40 minute media conference in North Sydney, the 45 year old spoke about the aftermath of the decision.
“I’ve come here today to clear my name and restore my reputation,” Stajcic said.
“I believe it’s been damaged, as I referred to in the statement, and unjustifiably, as I said in the statement, and I’m here to repair what I can of my reputation after having spent 20 years coaching the game.”
Stajcic was removed from the role after an internal review from the FFA, alongside the PFA and Our Watch, highlighted workplace and player welfare issues.
Stajcic disputed the accuracy of the findings.
“I state categorically that, during my time as Matildas head coach, I never witnessed, never participated in, and never acquiesced to the participation of others in any impropriety or misconduct relating to players or the Matildas set-up,” Stajcic said.
“The explanations proffered by FFA for my dismissal were; termination without cause; that no actions or behaviours of misconduct could be attributed to me; the FFA’s CEO’s assertion that the Matildas had a ‘poor culture’.
“I wish to make it abundantly clear that during my time as Matildas coach, over nearly five years, I was not made aware, by Mr Gallop, of the existence of, or the occurrence of, any serious issues concerning the Matildas set-up.”
Stajcic, who has been a fixture in Australian women’s football for over 15 years, also disclosed that he was considering his legal options on “potential defamation and the breach of contractual obligations by the FFA”. However, was reticent on whether he would seek re-employment by the FFA.
“I’m here today to clear my name and restore my reputation. It’s not a question for today,” he said.
“While it has broken my heart and spirit to think I am no longer on that journey that I shared with so many for such a long time, I will continue to follow the Matildas; both individually and a team,” he said.
“I truly wish to see Australia take its rightful place on the world football stage and believe this team can do it.
“For now, I look forward to the search for truth, honour and integrity in this awful saga.”
The FFA are currently undertaking a search for Stajcic’s replacement at the Matildas.
