Joe Montemurro Explained

Joe Montemurro
Fullname:Joseph Adrian Montemurro[1]
Birth Date:13 September 1969
Birth Place:Melbourne, Australia
Height:1.78 m
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Lyon Women (head coach)
Youthyears1:1986–1988
Youthclubs1:Brunswick Juventus
Youthyears2:1989
Youthclubs2:Neuchâtel Xamax
Youthyears3:1989
Youthclubs3:Potenza
Years1:1990
Clubs1:Brunswick Juventus
Caps1:3
Goals1:0
Years2:1991–1995
Clubs2:Opitergina
Manageryears1:2006–2007
Managerclubs1:Sunshine George Cross
Manageryears2:2008–2009
Managerclubs2:Coburg United
Manageryears3:2013
Managerclubs3:Port Moresby
Manageryears4:2014–2015
Managerclubs4:Melbourne Victory Women
Manageryears5:2015–2017
Managerclubs5:Melbourne City Women
Manageryears6:2017–2021
Managerclubs6:Arsenal Women
Manageryears7:2021–2024
Managerclubs7:Juventus Women
Manageryears8:2024–
Managerclubs8:Lyon Women

Joseph Adrian Montemurro (born 13 September 1969) is an Australian soccer coach and former player who is currently the head coach of French club Lyon Women.

Montemurro played as a midfielder during his short playing career, mainly in Italy, before returning to Australia to play in the Victorian state leagues. He began coaching in youth football for various Victorian clubs, before his first managerial role with Sunshine George Cross, and then later, Coburg United. His first job abroad came in 2013, spending four months as the inaugural manager of Papua New Guinean side Port Moresby. From 2014 to 2017, he managed the women's sides of Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, and then replaced Pedro Martínez Losa as manager of Arsenal, where he won the league title in his second season with the club. In 2021, Montemurro moved to Italy to join Juventus Women, and in 2024, he became coach of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin.

Playing career

Montemurro spent his entire junior playing career at Brunswick Juventus and made his first senior appearance for the club in 1986 in the National Soccer League as a 16-year-old.[2] He was also a member of the Victorian State Youth team between 1986–88 which won two national titles.[3] In 1987, he was offered a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport which he declined to remain at Brunswick Juventus. In 1988, he was spotted by Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax and offered the opportunity to remain in Europe.[4] From there he passed onto Italian Serie C2 club Potenza before spending the bulk of his career at Opitergina, in the Italian non-professional Leagues.[5]

He returned to Australia in 1996 and resumed playing in the Victorian State leagues while embarking on his coaching education.

Managerial career

Early years coaching in Victoria

His first coaching positions commenced at his former junior club Brunswick Juventus. His first major role was as youth coach (U21) in the Victorian Premier league with Green Gully in which he took the team to the runner-up position in his first year.

In the 2002–03 season Montemurro took over the youth team at Melbourne Knights in the National Soccer League, in which he guided the team to a Southern Division Championship. The team lost the playoff to become National Youth Champions. The demise of the National League came and the club offered Montemurro the senior position in the Victorian Premier League. He opted to continue his youth coaching at cross town rivals South Melbourne in which he guided the team to the runner-up position in 2005.

Mid 2006, with the team sitting clear at the top of the ladder, Montemurro was approached by Sunshine George Cross to take over the first team and save it from relegation.[6] He succeeded and continued his position until mid 2007, when he parted ways with the club. His next role was head coach of Coburg United in Victorian State League 1 in which he guided the club to its first ever promotion to top flight football in the club's 30-year history.

In 2010, he returned to South Melbourne as a youth coach and guided the team to a historic undefeated season as champions. He was promoted to assistant senior coach at South, in which VPL finals appearances and the quarter finals of the Singapore Cup were achievements during his tenure. During 2013, he took over new franchise club Port Moresby in the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League.[2] The club finished third in the league, qualifying for the championship playoffs, where they reached the final, only to lose 3–0 to Hekari United.[7]

Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City

In 2014, he returned to Melbourne and was appointed National Training Centre head coach for women's football in Victoria. Montemurro was appointed head coach of the Melbourne Victory FC W-League on 16 May 2014 and guided it to the runner-up position after the home and away fixture, the highest finish in the club's history. The team lost the semi-final playoff on penalties to Canberra United.[8]

After the 2014 season, Montemurro left Victory to join Melbourne City taking up a position as the manager of their youth side.[9] Following City joining the W-League, Montemurro was appointed as head coach of their women's side.[10] [11] In its maiden season, the City women were crowned 2015–16 W-League Premiers.[12] [13] [14] On 31 January 2016, City completed the double by defeating Sydney 4–1.[15] W-League history was created as the team went the entire season undefeated, amassing 42 goals scored and 5 conceded.[16]

In June 2016, Montemurro's role at City was expanded to include assisting John van 't Schip with the senior men's team.[17] His responsibilities changed in January 2017, becoming City's chief assistant coach under new manager Michael Valkanis, relinquishing his W-League coaching role as a result.[18]

Arsenal Women

In November 2017, Montemurro left Melbourne City to join Arsenal Women as manager, after Pedro Martínez Losa was sacked following a poor start to the season.[19] [20] [21] On 14 March 2018, he won his first major trophy with Arsenal by beating Manchester City 1–0 to win the FA Women's League Cup.[22] On 15 May 2018, he led Arsenal to the Women's FA Cup final in front of a record attendance of 45,423 at Wembley Stadium, in which they lost 3–1 to Chelsea.[23]

In August 2018, in his first full preseason in charge of Arsenal Women, the team were crowned champions of the Toulouse International Ladies Cup, beating UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finalists Montpellier and holding Paris Saint Germain to a 2–2 draw.

In the 2018–19 season, Arsenal became the first FA WSL team to win 9 games straight, amassing 42 goals and conceding 5. The winning streak came to an end when an injury stricken squad lost away to Manchester City.[24] The attacking style and fluidity of possession instilled by Montemurro won many accolades. On 7 February 2019, the team reached its second consecutive Continental Cup League final, beating Manchester United 2–1 at Meadow Park.[25] After a scoreless draw in the final at Sheffield's Bramall Lane, the team was defeated 4–2 in a penalty shoot out against Manchester City.[26] In the same month, Montemurro was nominated for Manager of the Year at the London Football Awards, alongside Maurizio Sarri and Mauricio Pochettino; he was the first coach from the WSL to be nominated for the Awards.[27] On 31 March, Arsenal qualified for the UEFA Women's Champions League after a five year absence, with a 1–0 win over Birmingham City.[28] In front of a record WSL crowd against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Falmer Stadium, goals from Vivianne Miedema, Katie McCabe, Beth Mead and Daniëlle van de Donk, secured the WSL title with a round in advance; it was Arsenal's first title since 2012.[29] The season was also capped off with Montemurro winning the WSL League Managers Association (LMA) Coach of the Year.[30]

In July 2019, Montemurro was nominated as FIFA World Women's Coach of the year.[31] The 2019–20 season saw Arsenal continue in the same fashion as the previous season, having qualified for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The team was also part of a record-breaking WSL attendance, when 38,200 spectators came to watch the first ever North London Derby at Tottenham Stadium; Arsenal won the match 2–0. Another record was broken on 1 December 2019, when they beat Bristol 11–1 at Meadow Park, the highest winning margin in the WSL.[32] In March 2021, it was announced that Joe was to leave the club at the end of the 2020–21 season.[33] Despite retaining the support of the Arsenal board, Montemurro decided to leave the club in order to take a break and spend more time with his family.[34] He left the club having qualified for the 2021–22 UEFA Women's Champions League.[35]

Juventus Women

On 8 June 2021, Montemurro was appointed head coach of Italian Serie A side Juventus Women.[36] [37] Montemurro's first official match as Juventus' manager came on 18 August, in a 12–0 win against Macedonian Women's Football Championship side Kamenica Sasa in the semi-finals of the first round of UEFA Women's Champions League.[38] Montemurro's first trophy as Juventus coach came, the Supercoppa Italiana on 8 January 2022 after a 2–1 win against AC Milan.[39] The team went on to win the Serie A and Italian Cup completing the club's first ever treble winning season. The biggest achievement for the team in the 21/22 season was qualification to the quarter finals stage of the UEFA Women's Champions League. Grouped with Chelsea, Wolfburg and Servette, the team's 2-0 win Germany and the 0-0 draw in London earned the team second spot in group A and effectively knocking out Chelsea. The team won the first leg of the quarter final v Lyon 2-1 at the Allianz stadium in Turin but lost 3-1 at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon. On 6 March 2024, Montemurro left the club by mutual agreement as the club believed "an immediate change is necessary".[40]

Olympique Lyonnais Féminin

On 19 June 2024, it was announced that Montemurro would become manager of Olympique Lyonnais (OL) Féminin, succeeding Sonia Bompastor.[41]

Personal life

Montemurro is married, and has two children with his wife Linda. He is of Italian descent as his family moved from southern Italy to settle in Australia, following the end of World War II.[42] Montemurro became an Arsenal supporter at the age of seven, when his brother returned home with a replica kit. The 1979 FA Cup Final, in which Arsenal beat Manchester United 3–2, served as an inspiration for Montemurro to pursue a career in football.[43]

In 2010, he completed his UEFA A license at Coverciano, via the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). He also completed his UEFA Pro License at Coverciano in July 2014, and is a member of the Italian Coaches Association (AIAC). He also holds an AFC/FFA A License and completed the Master of Sports Coaching degree at the University of Queensland. He is also undertaking a PhD at the University of Loughborough with a focus on Sports Psychology Performance.

Career statistics

Manager

Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamFrom To Record
Melbourne Victory Women20142015[44]
Melbourne City Women20152017
Arsenal WomenNovember 201716 May 2021
Juventus Women8 June 20216 March 2024[45]
Total

Honours

Manager

Melbourne City Women

Arsenal Women

Juventus Women

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: CALCIO, ALLENATORI: MASTER UEFA PRO FA TAPPA A TRIGORIA. La Repubblica. it. 5 July 2019.
  2. Web site: Joseph Montemurro Profile . 2022-05-29 . PlanetSport . en.
  3. Web site: 2017-01-06 . News - Joe Montemurro . 2022-05-29 . Melbourne City.
  4. Web site: 2022-05-29 . Footballdatabase . 2022-05-29 . www.footballdatabase.eu.
  5. Web site: Montemurro, Joseph. ozfootball.net.
  6. Web site: Sunshine Georgies v South Melbourne FC – Match Report • - SMFC.
  7. Web site: Hekari rule. The National. Henry. Morabang. 3 June 2013. 9 July 2019.
  8. Web site: Football Federation Victoria – FFV. www.footballfedvic.com.au. 3 October 2018.
  9. Web site: Melbourne Victory looking for a new coach as Joe Montemurro departs. The Women's Game. 24 April 2015. 9 July 2019.
  10. Web site: Melbourne City FC set to field W-League team in 2015. Melbourne City. 13 May 2015. 9 July 2019. 1 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150801004945/http://www.melbournecityfc.com.au/article/melbourne-city-fc-set-to-field-w-league-team-in-2015/eshra90uyuhx108com93atgzf. dead.
  11. Web site: Melbourne City raise game as W-League debut looms. The Age. Daniel. Cherny. 13 October 2015. 9 July 2019.
  12. Web site: W-League: City crowned Premiers. Melbourne City. 28 December 2015. 9 July 2019.
  13. Web site: W-League: City secures Premiers' Plate in stellar inaugural season. Melbourne City. 28 December 2015. 9 July 2019.
  14. Web site: W-League: Melbourne City crowned premiers. The Age. Michael. Lynch. 28 December 2015. 9 July 2019.
  15. Web site: W-League: City crowned Champions. Melbourne City. 31 January 2016. 9 July 2019.
  16. Web site: Joe Montemurro goes back to basics to get Arsenal moving forward. The Guardian. Suzanne. Wrack. 1 May 2018. 9 July 2019.
  17. Web site: Melbourne City announce coaching shake-up. Melbourne City. 14 June 2016.
  18. Web site: Interim Mebourne City coach Michael Valkanis ready for the challenge. Herald Sun. David. Davotovic. 5 January 2017. 5 February 2017.
  19. Web site: 7 November 2017. Montemurro joins Arsenal. 1 May 2018. Arsenal. The Arsenal Football Club plc. London.
  20. News: Arsenal Women confirm Joseph Montemurro as new head coach. Jessica. Morgan. London Evening Standard. 7 November 2017.
  21. Web site: Meet Joe Montemurro – Arsenal Women's new coach. BBC Sport. 12 December 2017. 9 July 2019.
  22. Web site: Arsenal Women 1–0 Manchester City Women. BBC Sport. 14 March 2018. 9 July 2019.
  23. Web site: Arsenal Ladies 1–3 Chelsea Ladies. BBC Sport. Tom. Garry. 15 May 2018. 9 July 2019.
  24. Web site: Manchester City Women 2–0 Arsenal Women. BBC Sport. Tom. Garry. 5 May 2018. 2 December 2018.
  25. Web site: Arsenal Women 2–1 Manchester United Women. BBC Sport . 7 February 2019. 8 February 2019.
  26. Web site: Women's Continental League Cup final: Arsenal 0–0 Manchester City (2–4 pens). BBC Sport. Tom. Garry. 26 February 2019. 9 July 2019.
  27. Web site: Five nominations at London Football Awards. Arsenal F.C.. 6 March 2019. 9 July 2019.
  28. Web site: Birmingham City Women 0–1 Arsenal Women. BBC Sport. 31 March 2019. 5 May 2019.
  29. Web site: Brighton & Hove Albion Women 0–4 Arsenal Women. BBC Sport. 28 February 2019. 5 May 2019.
  30. Web site: LMA awards: Sheffield United's Chris Wilder named manager of the year. BBC Sport. Simon. Stone. 14 May 2019. 9 July 2019.
  31. Web site: The rise and rise of Joe Montemurro . 2022-05-29 . www.fifa.com . en.
  32. News: 2019-12-01 . WSL: Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema hits six in record 11-1 rout of Bristol City . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-04-25 . 0261-3077.
  33. Web site: Thank you Joe and good luck.
  34. Web site: 2021-03-31. Arsenal Women manager Joe Montemurro to leave at end of season. 2021-03-31. The Guardian. en.
  35. Web site: Bunting. Josh. 2021-03-31. Joe Montemurro to leave Arsenal at end of the season. 2021-05-19. Her Football Hub. en-GB.
  36. Web site: 8 June 2021. Welcome to Juventus Women, Coach Montemurro!. 8 June 2021. Juventus FC. en.
  37. Web site: Bunting. Josh. 2021-06-08. Joe Montemurro appointed as new Juventus manager. 2021-06-09. Her Football Hub. en-GB.
  38. Web site: Munno. Mauro. 2021-08-18. Juventus Women-Kamenica Sasa 12-0: prima vittoria in Champions. 2021-08-18. Juventus News 24. it-IT.
  39. Web site: Munno. Mauro. 2022-01-08. Juventus Women Milan 2-1: Girelli per il primo trofeo dell'era Montemurro. 2022-01-10. Juventus News 24. it-IT.
  40. Web site: Juventus.com . Thanks for everything, Coach Montemurro! - Juventus . 2024-03-06 . Juventus.com . en.
  41. Web site: 2024-06-19 . Lyon appoint Montemurro to replace Bompastor . 2024-06-19 . ESPN.com . en.
  42. News: Meet Joe Montemurro, the Australian of Italian descent on course to make Arsenal Women winners again. Whyatt. Katie. 2018-10-20. The Telegraph. 2018-10-23. en-GB. 0307-1235.
  43. Web site: Arsenal hoping Joseph Montemurro – the 'Pep' of women's football – can help guide them back to the top. The Telegraph. Julian. Bennetts. 4 May 2018. 9 July 2019.
  44. Web site: Joe Montemurro Managerial Profile. 2022-12-14. www.footballdatabase.eu.
  45. Web site: Joseph Montemurro manager profile and live statistics updates - SofaScore. 26 April 2023. www.sofascore.com.
  46. Web site: Melbourne City crowned W-League premiers after beating Brisbane Roar 1–0. ABC News. 28 December 2015. 9 July 2019.
  47. Web site: Montemurro named LMA October Manager of the Month. 8 April 2019. 12 November 2018.
  48. Web site: Montemurro named LMA March Manager of the Month. 8 April 2019. 8 April 2019.