Glowing feedback from Matildas players has helped coach Ante Milicic earn a one-year contract extension.
Milicic will coach Australia's women's football team at next months World Cup through to next year's Tokyo Olympics, should they qualify.
And it seems the door is still ajar for him to make a quick transition from the Olympics, next August, to the A-League should an opportunity arise.
He took over as Matildas coach in February after Alen Stajcic was controversially sacked and said his fresh deal confirms his "deep belief" in the current squad.
Milicic says his contract extension will be of benefit for Australia's World Cup campaign in France in June -- he will name a 23-strong squad for the tournament next week.
"The continuity this will foster can only benefit the belief and preparation, but more importantly I think it demonstrates the deep belief that I have in this special group of players," he said via a statement on Friday.
"I want to join the players on this journey.
"I know that I can help them achieve something special for themselves, not only individually but for this team and for Australian football."
The Matildas will attempt to qualify for the Olympics at a tournament in January and February next year.
Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop said feedback from players was a factor in offering Milicic a new contract.
"The feedback that we have received from those closest to the team over the past three months has been resoundingly positive and helped guide our decision to extend his appointment," Gallop said via a statement.
Milicic has been linked heavily to the new A-League team to be based out of Macarthur South-West Sydney, which has been granted entry to the competition in 2020-21.
That team is due to play its first match in October next year, and despite the time frame, Milicic says the possibility of jumping from the Matildas to Macarthur is "still open".
"I'm committed to the Matildas and that's my main focus. FFA is across any discussions I have [with the new team]," he said.
"It's a separate matter and there's always speculation.
"We'll leave the Macarthur discussion for another time."
