17.04.2014 06:19 h

Football: FFA part ways with Matildas' Dutch coach

Jan Wouters geeft aanwijzingen tijdens FC Utrecht - Heracles Almelo. (13-4-2014)
Jan Wouters geeft aanwijzingen tijdens FC Utrecht - Heracles Almelo. (13-4-2014)

Hesterine de Reus has left her position as head coach of Australia's women's national football team amid reports of player unrest, Football Federation Australia said on Thursday.

The former Dutch player had only been in charge of the 'Matildas' for 15 months and the FFA announcement came just days after Australia beat football powerhouse Brazil 2-1 in Brisbane.

Reports said the Matildas squad had called for the removal of de Reus and sought the intervention of the players' union and the FFA after many players were left disenchanted by her management style, rigid training methods, coaching and strict disciplinary regime.

Fairfax Media said squad members had raised their concerns with the players' union, Professional Footballers Australia, at a meeting earlier this month.

"After a review by FFA it was determined that a change in coaches was in best interests of the Matildas program," FFA chief executive David Gallop said in a statement.

Gallop thanked de Reus for her efforts over the past 15 months and wished her all the best for the next stage of her coaching career.

Sydney FC W-League head coach Alen Stajcic has been appointed interim head coach of the Matildas for the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Vietnam next month.

The FFA said a comprehensive review of the Matildas program, including the head coaching position, would be conducted after the tournament.

De Reus, 52, played 43 times for the Netherlands women's national football team, before turning to coaching with the Royal Dutch Football Association, Jordan and Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.