The former Arsenal and Juventus coach, recently appointed to spearhead giants of women’s football, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, knows the Aussie landscape intimately after successful stints in charge of Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City W-League teams.

And he was high on the shortlist for the Matildas position back in 2020, while winning trophies in north London, before Gustavsson was ultimately appointed.

But Melbourne-born Montemurro has barely unpacked his clipboard in France, and whilst acknowledging the lure of the Matildas sporting brand back home, he insists he’s “happy” in France.

“It’s a little bit late,” Montemurro told FTBL. “We’ll see what develops but all good here at the moment, we’re just getting started.”

Pushed on how he might react should Football Australia test his loyalty to the eight times Champions League winners, Montemurro responded: “It’s the million dollar question and not an easy one to answer but, look, I’m happy here and I really don’t know. You’ve put me on the spot.

“I’ve said all along it would be an honour to coach the Matildas, a fantastic opportunity and a fantastic situation.

“But obviously the timing’s not right and I’m excited at the prospect of doing some great work here and I want to thrive in France.

“So (regarding the Matildas) it’s probably something that ain’t going to happen.”

FA have yet to draw up a shortlist to replace Gustavsson, who parted ways with the Matildas after they bowed out at the group stage at the Paris Games.

Montemurro, who coached the A-League All Stars Women against his old Arsenal team back in May, confirmed he has not been sounded out over the vacancy.

His mind is solely focused on adding more lustre to an Olympique Lyonnais brand which has dominated women’s football in Europe for much of the last decade.

“They’ve been brilliant, the standards are very high and they expect big things,” he added. “I’m really honoured to be here.”

The 17-time French champions first made contact with Montemurro long before finally snaring their man.

“I knew they’d take their time and go through the process by interviewing a lot of coaches,” he explained. “You’d expect that because who wouldn’t want this role.

“When it happened it was very quick - I must have said something, or done something right, to be given the best club side in Europe. 

“They’ve set the standards in women’s football and it’s great they’ve given me an opportunity. They’re serial winners and know what it’s like to be at the top. We hope to continue that.”

Whilst there are concerns the Matildas will struggle to replace an ageing golden generation of players, Montemurro believes whoever takes charge has a huge opportunity.

“I don’t think anybody in Australia was ever deluding themselves that it wasn’t going to happen,” he pointed out.

“We’re blessed to have had an amazing generation of players but it’s also an exciting challenge ahead - I’m sure there are a lot of top young players out there. 

“It’s just a matter of finding the space for them to be exposed to a top level of football. It’s like everything: the more they play, the more opportunities they have, the more they’ll turn into top players.”

Montemurro feels the new boss, unlike Gustavsson, would be best served being based full time in Australia, as opposed to making flying visits.

“I think that’s something which is important,” he said. “There’s obviously a bit of a rebuild required in the grand scheme, and they’d have to have a solid base in Australia," he cautioned.

"Or at least a good knowledge of the Australian game and able to put in people capable of bringing the game to the next level because the coach is only a small part of the puzzle.

“We need to talk about recruitment, scouting, individual development work for players and working with the A-League clubs.

“There’s a big fan base awaiting the next Steph Catley, Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord. I’m not saying they’re finished now. What I’m saying is it’s an exciting time to unearth the next batch of top players.

“Definitely the talent is there: it’s just a matter of exposing them to world class football so they can get used to what it’s all about.”

Montemurro, 53, kept the door open on the Australia job at some point in the future, declaring: “I love the game in Australia and it’s given me great opportunities.

“It would be lovely to one day give something back. I’m sure right now they have some good things in place and plans for the future, and some fantastic coaches in line ready to tackle the next phase."