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Ante Milicic's departure has the FFA on the hunt for a new coach to lead the Matildas to the 2023 World Cup, with these contenders leading the race.

FOUR CONTENDERS TO REPLACE ANTE MILICIC AS MATILDAS COACH

JOE MONTEMURRO

The Arsenal coach is the frontrunner for the position. After significant W-League success with Melbourne City, Montemurro won the English WSL title with the Gunners in 2018-19 and has recently recruited Matildas stars Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Lydia Williams to Arsenal. Whether he'd be keen to leave the English giants for the national team role appears the only stumbling block.

JILL ELLIS

If the FFA want to make a bold statement of their intent to go all out to win the 2023 World Cup, convincing Ellis to be the woman at the helm of the Matildas would be a significant move. The American won two World Cups as coach of the United States before leaving the role in 2019 and is currently not in an active coaching position. Would be a huge acquisition if James Johnson could manage it.

ANTE JURIC

A former Young Matildas coach, Juric led Sydney FC to a W-League grand final victory last year against a Sam Kerr-inspired Perth Glory. Juric has a long history of coaching in women's football but his experience at the highest level is limited. Would be keen but also a gamble for the FFA in the lead-up to such a crucial period for the Matildas.

MEL ANDREATTA

The former Brisbane Roar head coach was considered a chance of landing the Matildas position after Alen Stajcic's sacking in January 2019. Instead she worked as an assistant to Milicic at last year's World Cup and beyond while she quit her Roar role to lead the academy program for Queensland NPL team Brisbane Strikers - believing a move into men's football would create more coaching opportunities. Andreatta is a long shot for the role but knows the national team set-up and almost all of the squad's senior players.