Former Australian national women's team coach Tom Sermanni, an assistant in San Jose the past two WUSA seasons, was hired Wednesday as the New York Power's head coach.
Sermanni, 48, takes over for interim coach Charlie Duccilli, who stepped in when Patrick Farmer was fired as head coach in late June. The Power went 3-17-1 in 2002, finishing last in the WUSA, after playing in the semifinals the first season.
The Power owns the first selection in next year's draft with several tantalizing options, including Santa Clara playmaker Aly Wagner and Penn State striker Christie Welsh, both with U.S. national team experience.
Sermanni, born in Scotland and possessing dual Scottish-Australian citizenship, played for Albion and Dunfermline in Scotland and for Blackpool and Torquay United in England. His coaching resume includes stints with San Frecce Hiroshima in Japan and two Australian men's clubs, Sydney Olympic and Canberra Cosmos.
He was in charge of the Australian national women's team in 1994-96, posting a 13-16-3 record and guiding the Matildas into the 1995 Women's World Cup in Sweden.
He was Ian Sawyers' assistant in San Jose, helping the CyberRays to the inaugural Founders Cup title.