Post history

History for Nelfoos

Football Ferns

Back to topic

Current version

Posted June 27, 2019 00:32 · last edited June 27, 2019 00:33

el grapadura wrote:

I don't have any real insight into this, but recall that when the independent review into Heraf's appointment/sacking was completed, it noted that only about half of the Ferns participated in it, and others chose not to (and again, this is my recollection, I haven't bothered looking it up again). 

I remember that raising a few eyebrows at the time, and there were suggestions floating around that not all Ferns thought that Heraf was the worst human being ever.

Heraf was unpopular most of the football people who interacted with him, in my experience. Most of the women didn't like him and for me that's enough. There's always going to be some in a team that don't speak up because they aren't comfortable doing so (and moreso in women's football). But complaints about a coach's approach and conduct don't have to be universal for them to be worth listening to and enough players were uncomfortable with him that they did speak up, in an unprecedented manner.

Even if it is the worst case scenario, a player power/culture issue that requires addressing, if its a trade-off between Erceg and Heraf, Erceg wins every time. One of the world's best defenders vs a coach that couldn't tailor his approach to the women's game, or the NZ psyche. No brainer.

Previous versions

1 version
Unknown editor edited June 27, 2019 00:33
el grapadura wrote:

I don't have any real insight into this, but recall that when the independent review into Heraf's appointment/sacking was completed, it noted that only about half of the Ferns participated in it, and others chose not to (and again, this is my recollection, I haven't bothered looking it up again). 

I remember that raising a few eyebrows at the time, and there were suggestions floating around that not all Ferns thought that Heraf was the worst human being ever.

Heraf was unpopular most of the football people who interacted with him, in my experience. Most of the women didn't like him and for me that's enough. There's always going to be some in a team that don't speak up because they aren't comfortable doing so (and moreso in women's football). But complaints about a coach's approach and conduct don't have to be universal for them to be worth listening to and enough players were uncomfortable with him that they did speak up, in an unprecedented manner.

Even if it is the worst case scenario, a player power issue that requires addressing, if its a trade-off between Erceg and Heraf, Erceg wins every time. One of the world's best defenders vs a coach that couldn't tailor his approach to the women's game, or the NZ psyche.