Shellharbour product Caitlin Foord insists the Matildas remain ‘the closest team we have ever had’ as controversy continues to surround the dismissal of national team coach Alen Stajcic.
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As the 24-year-old attempts to keep a steely focus on the World Cup, she also admitted there remains ‘mixed emotions’ among the playing group after another tumultuous week in Australian football.
Stajcic was removed from his post earlier this month amid accusations of a ‘toxic’ culture surrounding the Matildas’ set-up.
Foord has been a part of the Matildas playing squad since 2011.
That includes Stajcic’s entire tenure in charge, which began after a player revolt saw former coach Hesterine De Reus ousted from the position in 2014.
“Since then [the culture] hasn’t really changed. The team has been very, very close,” Foord said.
“It is not going to change and nothing is going to make that change now.”
Foord was adamant it is ‘very rare’ to find a team as close as the current Matildas.
She voiced her shock and disappointment about Stajcic’s departure on Twitter in the days after his dismissal from the top job.
The versatile attacker also played under Stajcic for several seasons when he was in charge of the Sky Blues between 2008 and 2014.
She admits the coach has had huge impact on her career over that time.
“He was obviously massive for me and my development as well,” Foord said.
“I have been coached by Staj since a very young age and I can only ever speak highly of him and what he has done for my football career.”
A decision is yet to be made on Stajcic’s replacement, but current Sydney FC coach Ante Juric has been linked as a possible option to fill the role heading into the World Cup.
The FFA hope to have Stajcic's replacement in place by mid-February, ahead of the Cup of Nations which will be held in Australia between February 28 and March 6.
“I don’t care who it is as long as the FFA put in the best possible person and give us the best chance because we know that this year can be our year,” Foord said.
Foord’s sensational W-League form has her in the box seat to be on the plane to a third World Cup in France later this year.
“Obviously it is the pinnacle of the sport we play and some people are fortunate to go to one, I’ve been able to go to two and it would be an absolute dream if I was going to my third,” Foord said.
“I think as I have grown as a player over the years, you realise how special those moments are and they don’t come around very often.
“If I am on that plane going to France, I will be very excited and stoked to be there.”
Meanwhile, Sydney FC can seal their spot in the W-League finals when meet City at WIN Stadium on Thursday night.
City are at long odds to make the finals as they sit three points adrift of Sydney and fourth-placed Perth Glory.
They would need to beat the Sky Blues by four goals on the final day of the campaign to claim an unlikely finals berth.
W-League
Round 14 (final round)
Thursday (7.30pm)
SYDNEY FC v MELBOURNE CITY
WIN Stadium