Joe Montemurro led Arsenal to their first WSL title in seven years in 2019; 51-year-old Australian describes tenure as "highlight of my coaching career"; has made decision to take professional break and dedicate more time with his family
Thursday 1 April 2021 10:39, UK
Arsenal head coach Joe Montemurro will leave the Women's Super League club at the end of the season.
Montemurro, who left Melbourne City Women to replace Pedro Martinez Losa in November 2017, led Arsenal to their first WSL title in seven years in 2019.
The 51-year-old Australian, who helped Arsenal reach four cup finals during his tenure, has decided to take a professional break and dedicate more time with his family.
"This has been the hardest professional decision of my life, as I absolutely love this job and this club, the club I have supported all my life," Montemurro, who will leave the club officially on May 31, said.
"I'm hugely grateful to the club for their unrelenting support during my time here and in understanding and respecting my decision."
Montemurro added working at Arsenal was the "highlight of my coaching career".
Arsenal are fourth in the WSL, three points adrift of third-placed Manchester United but with a game in hand.
"My focus now is helping the team to complete the season strongly and finishing as high as possible in the WSL, leaving the club in good shape for the future," Montemurro said.
Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham said the club are well placed "to be as much a force in the future as it has been in the past" following Montemurro's time in charge.
Venkatesham added: "Joe has made a huge impact during his time with us and we look forward to building on his legacy and taking the club to more success in the future."
Montemurro revealed he was a "mess" when he told the players about his decision to leave at the end of the season. He informed the players at training and explained it was an emotional decision to leave the club.
"You should have seen me an hour ago when I told the players, I was a mess," he said. "I was waffling on, I didn't even know what I was saying to be honest, it was really hard, really really hard.
"I think the biggest thing I was scared of when I told Vinai and Clare (Wheatley, Head of Women's Football) was that they'd be upset and never let me back into the club, but they've been absolutely amazing.
"I can sit here and safely say that I will be forever part of the Arsenal family and I was one of the lucky ones that got to work here and give my all and meet some amazing people.
"So that was the scariest thing for me to be honest, to think that they'd be upset and all that but everyone's been amazing and the club have been absolute class."
Former England international Sue Smith says Montemurro should be proud of his achievements while at Arsenal and expects the club to target a title challenge under his successor.
"They were so dominant for many years," Smith told Sky Sports News. "It just seems that Chelsea and Manchester City have taken over in that, so I think the next manager that comes in will certainly be looking to take them to that next level."
She added: [Montemurro] is a very good manager, a very good player-manager so I am sure once he has had a little break, had some family time [then] we will certainly see him back in management very soon."
Sky Sports has announced a three-year deal with the FA to become the primary broadcaster of the Barclays Women's Super League from September 2021.
As one of the most competitive leagues, with some of the most famous names and teams in the world, the WSL will be one of Sky Sports' flagship offerings.
The deal will see Sky Sports show at least 35 games exclusively live per season and further strengthens the broadcaster's commitment to women's sport.
