The Australian women’s football team head coach Tony Gustavsson has departed from his position following the Matildas’ exit in the group stage of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Thursday.

The Matildas, who reached the semi-finals last Olympics under Gustavsson, failed to make it to the knockouts after losing to the USA in their final group match.

The 50-year-old Gustavsson’s four year contract with Football Australia came to an end with the Olympics football tournament and both parties mutually agreed to not extend it further.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson confirmed the news and also expressed his gratitude towards the Swedish manager.

“Tony has been an integral part of the Matildas’ journey over the past four years, with a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the FIFA World Cup 2023,” Johnson said. “We thank him for his strong contribution, passion and commitment during that time and wish him every success for the future.”

Tony Gustavsson, formerly an assistant coach with the USWNT, took charge of the Matildas in September 2020.

In his first major assignment, he steered the team to the semi-finals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, becoming the first Australian football team – men or women – to reach the top four at the Summer Games.

The Matildas also had a terrific run at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, which Australia co-hosted alongside New Zealand. They reached the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time, beating defending champions Canada on the way.

“It has been a great honour and privilege to have been able to be the head coach of the Matildas over the past four years,” Gustavsson said.

“This journey with the team has had many incredible moments and memories that I will forever treasure. Australian football will be forever in my heart, and I will be watching on and cheering on your success in the future,” he concluded.

After beginning their Paris 2024 campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Germany, the Matildas edged out Zambia in an 11-goal thriller. A defeat to the four-time gold medallists USA in the early hours of Thursday confirmed their first group stage exit since Sydney 2000.