Tony Gustavsson (born 14 August 1973) is a Swedish professional football manager and former player who was most recently the head coach of the Australia women's national team. He is best known for his managerial success in women's football, leading Tyresö FF to the 2014 UEFA Women's Champions League Final, helping the United States women's national team to two world championships in 2015 and 2019 as an assistant, as well as helping Australia (nicknamed the "Matildas") to their highest finishes at the Olympic Games in 2020 and the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023 on home soil. However, the Matildas' poor performance after the 2024 Summer Olympics will reportedly cause Gustavsson to be sacked.

Managerial career

Early career in men's football

Gustavsson first managed Degerfors IF. He was then in charge of Hammarby IF from 2006 but was sacked when the club was relegated from the top flight in 2009. On 27 April 2010, Gustavsson signed a 44-day contract with the Norwegian Tippeliga-club Kongsvinger IL, but he decided later on to stay till the end of the season. After being relegated with Kongsvinger, Gustavsson did not use his option to extend his contract by one year, and left the club.

Tyresö FF

Under Gustavsson's leadership Tyresö FF won their first Damallsvenskan title in 2012, after a dramatic last day win over rivals Malmö. Madelaine Edlund scored the winning goal after Caroline Seger's shot had hit the post. Gustavsson also led Tyresö to a 4–3 defeat by Wolfsburg in the 2014 UEFA Women's Champions League Final. Tyresö became insolvent in 2014 and were kicked out of the 2014 Damallsvenskan season, expunging all their results and making all their players free agents. The Stockholm County Administrative Board published the employees' salaries, showing Gustavsson was among the higher earners at 75,000 Swedish krona (€0) per-month.

United States women

In April 2012, Gustavsson joined the United States women's national team as an assistant coach to compatriot Pia Sundhage, where he helped the United States women's national team to an Olympic gold medal that year. He stayed under the new coach Jill Ellis, and helped the United States women's national team to two world championships in 2015 and 2019 as an assistant.

Australia women

On 29 September 2020, he joined Australia women's national team, the Matildas, as the head coach. His first major tournament as manager of the Matildas was the 2020 Summer Olympics, which saw Australia finish fourth, which was the joint best ever finish at the Olympics by an Australian football team, male or female. After a slow start where many were unhappy with the performance of the side, Gustavsson had them peaking for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. At the World Cup, the Matildas started slow, narrowly defeating Ireland 1–0 and losing to Nigeria 3–2. The team turned it around, defeating Olympic champions Canada to top their group, followed by victories over Denmark and France to reach the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time. However, the Matildas were defeated by England 3–1 at the semifinal, and then 2–0 by Sweden, to finish in 4th place; this was an Australian football team's highest finish at a FIFA World Cup, male or female. He would resign however after the Matildas had a poor performance at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Personal life

Gustavsson has a sister, and has two children.

Managerial statistics