I’m Taking Some Time Away From Football - Joe Montemurro

After 11 years at the top level of football, Joe Montemurro called it quits. In Melbourne on Thursday, he opened up as to why.

“One of the reasons I parted ways with Juventus was to take a little bit of time. I needed some time. After 11 years of high performance, at the clubs where I’ve been fortunate enough to coach, you’re on guard every day. I’m taking a little bit of time out of football,” Joe Montemurro began on Thursday.

“I’m privileged enough to have some time out of football with some opportunities that are coming my way.

Montemurro was also asked about the job at the Matildas, should it become available.

“I don’t think about opportunities that aren’t there at the moment. Mr Gustavsson, is doing a brilliant job at the moment,” he said about the current Matildas head coach.

“We hope that he continues to deliver on the world stage.

“It would be an honour and a privilege to one day be considered as the coach of this great brand.”

Montemurro doesn’t know if International football would work for him, with club football being all his ever known;

“I don’t know [if I need the grind of club football]. All I know is go go go every day. Champions League midweek, three games in a week.

“But there's one thing in common and that's managing players. And as a leader you have to manage players. You have to manage players in their situation.

“If I were a national team coach, you'd still be probably working every day because you've got to look at the management of players through their clubs, leading into the international camps.

Montemurro will be back in the dugout as coach of the A-League All-Star Women’s team vs Arsenal on Friday.