Robbie Slater: Aussie soccer legend pinpoints the HUGE Matildas problem that ‘just can’t keep dragging on’ – and raises a big question about Mary Fowler

Socceroos great Robbie Slater has urged the Matildas to find their new coach before it’s too late as the team reels from three straight losses a year to the day before they host the Asian Cup.

The former Premier League star said the current situation – which has seen interim boss Tom Sermanni lead the team since last year’s Olympics – ‘can’t keep dragging on’ as the team runs out of time to correct the horror form slump that has seen them beat just one top-15 side since December 2023.

‘Currently they are in a holding pattern,’ Slater told News Corp.

‘The players are clearly frustrated at the delay and, like the rest of us, want to know what’s going on.

‘The Matildas have just six windows left before the Asian Cup.

‘With Sermanni taking charge for the next one, that gives the new coach just five windows to get the team in order.’

Socceroos great Robbie Slater (pictured) wants the national side to sign their replacement coach before it’s too late to turn their form around ahead of the Asian Cup

Slater also took aim at how the team is using Mary Fowler, who failed to have much of an impact as the side lost 4-0 to Japan, 2-1 to the USA and 2-1 to Colombia – who had lost 10 straight going into the clash – to finish last in the SheBelieves Cup over the last two weeks.

‘Mary Fowler is in top form for Manchester City but we don’t see that when she comes into the Matildas,’ Slater said.

‘She was on the pitch for all three games – she came off the bench against Colombia on the left-hand side and didn’t really influence the game.

‘It is a big conundrum for Sermanni and the future Matildas coach moving forward because there is no doubt that Fowler is the most talented player of the next generation.’

In news that won’t be music to Slater’s ears, Football Australia (FA) expect to have a full-time Matildas coach appointed by the middle of the year and are adamant there is enough time to have the stuttering national team firing by the Asian Cup.

And the Matildas great at the forefront of the search for Tony Gustavsson’s permanent successor insists the lengthy delay is because FA aren’t settling for anything less than a world-class candidate.

The same day FA celebrated a year to go until the Asian Cup, the Matildas slumped to a 2-1 loss to Colombia, their third defeat in a week under interim coach Tom Sermanni.

A new coach won’t be in place for April’s home window against South Korea, with chief executive James Johnson on Wednesday confirming Sermanni would take the reins for friendlies which could also mark Sam Kerr’s return.

Slater is also worried by how the Matildas have been using Mary Fowler (pictured)

The 22-year-old has been in sparkling form for Manchester City this season but has failed to make much of an impact for Australia

It means the new manager, also charged with qualifying for and competing at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, won’t get games until the June window at the earliest.

FA board member Heather Garriock, the chair of FA’s football development committee, which is leading the recruitment process, indicated an agreement with the top candidate was close.

Asked if FA had their candidate, Garriock said: ‘We are in deep negotiation.

‘It’s the reason why we’ve taken so long. We weren’t there to settle. We could have settled. We’re not going to settle.

‘And we’ve been thorough in our process. We’ve analysed and spoken to a lot of coaches, and we’re very comfortable and confident with where we’re at.’