SYDNEY, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Football Australia (FA) has appointed Joe Montemurro as the new head coach of the women's national team, the Matildas.

FA on Monday officially unveiled Montemurro as the 15th permanent head coach of the Matildas, concluding a 10-month search.

The 55-year-old Australian joins the national team from French giants Lyon, where he led the club to the domestic league title and the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinals.

Prior to his tenure at Lyon, Montemurro won league titles with the women's teams of Juventus, Arsenal and Melbourne City.

"Joe brings world-class experience, a deep understanding of the Australian football landscape, and a genuine connection to our national identity," Heather Garriock, interim chief executive of FA, said in a statement.

She added that Montemurro brings an "unparalleled understanding" of what it takes to succeed at the top level of modern football, along with a proven ability to build high-performing teams.

Speaking at a press conference in Sydney, Montemurro said he was "humbled" by the opportunity to shape the next chapter of the women's national team.

His appointment was announced ahead of the Matildas' friendly match against Argentina in Canberra on Monday night, which will be the final game in charge for interim head coach Tom Sermanni.

It comes 10 months after the departure of previous head coach Tony Gustavsson, who guided Australia to the semifinals of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Montemurro's first games as Matildas head coach will be a pair of friendlies against Slovenia on June 26 and 28. His first major tournament will be the 2026 Asian Football Confederation Women's Asian Cup, which will be hosted in Australia. ■