In the coming days a new Matildas coach will be named.

The announcement will follow months of speculation and uncertainty (for both players and supporters) and weeks of an extensive recruitment process undertaken by Football Federation Australia.

From several reports the choices are down to two; current Sydney FC Alen Stajcic coach and former England Women's coach Hope Powell.

In some ways Stajcic and Powell are polar opposites while in others they are remarkably similar.

[More: Matildas coaching search]

Both commenced coaching women's football immediately after the conclusion of their playing careers; Stajcic after 8 years in the NSW Premier League and Powell after over 60 caps (35 goals) for England.

Both have worked extensively within youth development with responsibility for important youth structures aimed at identifying and cultivating players for the senior team.

An AFC pro licence holder, Stajcic has been a key figure in the Australian women's game for over a decade.

The 40 year old has held positions with the NSW Institute of Sport and Young Matildas (U20s), been head coach of the NSW Sapphires in the old Women's National Soccer League and led Sydney FC to two premierships and championships in the W-League.

He has also been the FFA's trouble-shooter for a number of years and called on to run identification camps for U17s and U20s national teams and, this year, as interim head coach for the Matildas silver medal winning 2014 Asian Cup campaign.

Even prior to his stint as interim head coach, a significant percentage of the current squad had been coached by Stajcic at either club or national level.

"Staj knows the game inside out and he is really good and what does," said a long time national team player.

"He is one of the best coaches I've ever had and I have learned so much about football with his coaching philosophy and knowledge about the game."

"He wants the best out of players and he tells it how it is for better or worse."

Some quarters have been erroneously dismissive of Powell.

In doing so there is a dismissal of a 15 year playing career, over 15 years of coaching (over 150 internationals), 4 European championships (including a silver medal in 2009), 3 World Cups (2 quarter finals appearances) and a number of Cyprus Cups (two victories in 2009 & 2013).

The first woman to achieve the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification available, for 15 years Powell was women's football in England.

During her tenure England regularly qualified for international tournaments but her responsibilities went far beyond the national team, and included the development and implementation of the elite pathway as well as the technical direction of the women's program.

"You cannot underestimate how much work Hope has done behind the scenes," said Chelsea Ladies boss Emma Hayes to BBC Sport back in 2013.

"She has fought in boardrooms to secure a future for women's football in this country but I think she has almost become a victim of her own success. She has driven for more and more for the players and the set-up and the result of that is expectations are greater."

For both Powell and Stajcic, stability has been the hallmark of their managerial careers, a trait crucial considering the recent upheaval with the national team program and a squad that perpetually appears to be re-building with new players frequently entering the scene.

Powell and Stajcic have distinct football styles with Powell's England known for its structure and solid defence while Stajcic's sides recognisable for their expressive and attacking football.

That is not to say Powell and Stajcic are not without their critics and detractors.

Both are powerful personalities so not surprisingly both are divisive figures in their respective women's football communities.

Blunt, aggressive, abrasive, rude and stubborn as just some of the negative adjectives levelled at them.

Stajcic has had run ins with referees and the opposition while Powell faced criticism from past and current players in relation to her managerial style.

Whomever is selected, whether it's Powell, Stajcic or unknown candidate, the next head coach needs to be an ideological, philosophical and cultural fit for the current squad.

However, in saying that, they should also be one that is prepared to change the environment if they deem it necessary and, most importantly, they must be supported in their endeavours by the Federation.

Once thorough due diligence is performed, the appointment should be about the best coach for the job; regardless of gender.

While that appears to be a redundant statement, there has been plenty of discussion, and some angst, in the women's football community that the FFA may chose De Reus' successor because they are female or, conversely, because they are adverse to selecting another female.

Less than 12 months out from the Women's World Cup and Olympic qualifiers, the room for error has considerably diminished and, considering the talent available in the current crop of players, it is not hyperbole to state that this is the most important period for Australian women's football yet.

For better or worse Jim Selby, Greg Brown, Adrian Santrac, Chris Tansey, Tom Sermanni and Hesterine de Reus have all shaped the current status of the Matildas and it will be interesting to see who will be entrusted to take them the next step.