I take from that article that Heraf used the hair dryier treatment and made players aware of some home truths i.e. they were not particular good, something that many Ferns did not want to hear.
I'm quite confident that in the clubs those Ferns play for, if their coaches think they are deficient in a certain ability they want, they simply play others instead and don't waste time on telling them where to improve (a pro should be pushing themselves daily anyway and know what needs working on).
The Ferns certainly lack REAL DEPTH so Heraf and Jitka had to play what was available. The simple fact that we have players who've made over 150 appearances shows how little talent we've really had over the years, and that comes from a diehard supporter who's been to two Olympics and two WCs to support the Ferns.
This is not a defence of either coach by the way, just an observation on what seems to be happening. I'm also not sure the current one is much cop either.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites
I'm not sure she worded it brilliantly, but she did say that the Ferns lack of goals were down to off-field issues. Not sure I'd agree with that, seems a bit simplistic and suggests a low level of accountability, let alone structure, systems, game plans etc.
"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington
Jeebus wept, the swing from "Klimková is a crap coach, she needed firing 3 years ago" to "the players don't like Klimková, therefore she must have been doing something right" is breathtaking
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009 This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
The Ferns haven't been scoring goals for years, going way back before Klimkova.
Limited relevance maybe to the Ferns, but some teams almost become galvanised when they have little faith in their coach. The senior players take over, and say fudge the coach and their tactics, this is the way we are going to play, this is our best chance of getting a result. English rugby team at 2007 Rugby WC - awful in their pool games, then went on a run to the final - a well known example.
For a season or so Richard Hadlee didn't speak to his captain Jeremy Coney (in the days when cricket captains were de facto coaches), yet the Black Caps were beating Australia, England, India etc. Though cricket is very much an individual game within a team sport. Easier to operate yes in a state of semi dysfunction. But I'm sure there are some football examples as well.
Again likely of little relevance to the Ferns, but if Klimkova was that bad a coach, then the senior players should certainly have been raising matters with her, and trying to tweak things to improve the team's scoring chances.
But really if you look at the team's attacking personnel you have I-P Riley now in the WSL, Fraser & Clegg as young fringe NWSL players, and then the rest in middling low quality leagues. Going off their most recent club seasons Hand (1 goal for Lewes FC, now with Unattached FC), Jale (3 goals for Perth), just ain't that good. Rennie playing in lowly Finland. Wilkinson probably finished as a FF. The team's best players are defenders, or deep midfielders. Hope I'm wrong but don't see any quick improvement under a new coach even if it was Sarina Wiegman
Hopefully the new Auckland ALW side can unearth 1 or 2 or 10 - Sarpreet Singhs, Ben Olds, Linda Caicedos or Ela Jerezs. No quick fix
Tom Sermanni is now (interim) coach of the Matildas, and their U20 womens team performed worse than NZ at the recent U20 WWC, not scoring a goal in 3 losses.
Australia facing many of the same struggles that NZ faces. The ALW being lower quality than when the likes of Sam Kerr were playing in it. Plus increasing investment and raising standards in the women's game worldwide, especially with larger traditional football countries.
What an awful article. Twice says that Klimkova resigned "today" when she actually did weeks ago. Offers no new insights. Why did it get published today?
What an awful article. Twice says that Klimkova resigned "today" when she actually did weeks ago. Offers no new insights. Why did it get published today?
Outside of Voerman, Rollo & Burgess some of the football print journalism in NZ is very average.
I'm really not sure about this statement from the author - something she has also stated on a podcast;
"The year 2023 was supposed to be the beginning of a new era for the Football Ferns. Senior players were at their peak, a new wave of young talent was emerging and they had the opportunity to host a major tournament.
The potential was immense, yet NZF squandered it."
What exactly was NZF supposed to do after the WWC? She never opines on that, merely saying "aren't Australia doing well".
We won't know the true legacy benefit of hosting the WWC for years yet, but I think it's safe to assume that young girls up and down the country got a boost out of the sport. I have no idea what identification pathways there are in place, but that is irrelevant to the WWC. It's my guess that the real drivers of the women's game in the future will be the Phoenix and AFC.
I'm also not sure about this "Senior players were at their peak, a new wave of young talent was emerging" line - Percival retired, Nayler has disappeared, Riley is gone, Chance is gone, Cleverley retired, Hassett is.....?, Wilkinson on the outer. There were very few players who were at their peak age-wise.
I'm no fan of Klimkova, nor NZF (let's be honest, who is?) - but since the WWC we've seen Macey Fraser come in, Katie Kitching come in, Kate Taylor come in more regularly......Fraser and Clegg playing in the #1 league in the world ("playing"), IP Reilly joining Bott in the top flight in Blighty, Foster and Blake going to the UK, Katie Bowen playing for Inter fudgeing Milan, Pijnenburg at Feyenoord, Niedermayr in Austria.....
Yes, a new coach needs to be bold with selections - but to say NZF has blown any and all opportunities post-WWC is a vendetta.
Yipe the Matildas have been struggling results wise post the WWC. Latest rankings they fell 3 spots to 15th. Main reason it seems that Tony Gustavsson left by 'mutual consent', after 4 years in charge. Lets not forget their tailswoman and big world class Sam Kerr star has been out for awhile now with her ACL injury.
But at the same time they have drawn some amazing crowds post the WWC. Against China this year, 53,000 at Adelaide & 76,000 in Sydney. So yeah Bonnie Jansen is correct lots of visible buzz around the Matildas post their run to the semis last year. But that will tail off, if the wins don't come again.
Aussie host the next Asian Cup Womens in 2026, so if the Matildas go on a run to the final in that, there will be a whole new wave of Tillies fever.
But yeah back to the question, have NZF squandered the momentum of last year's WWC? Yes and No.
Appointing Klimkova to such a long contract clearly bad judgement. But also the Ferns just ain't that good, and rarely an exciting watch (the win over Norway looks more & more like an outlier). Plus getting big name teams down to NZ for friendlies has always been tough.
Hopefully NZF can entice some of Japan, China or either Korea to Aotearoa for some pre Asian Cup friendlies in 2026.
What an awful article. Twice says that Klimkova resigned "today" when she actually did weeks ago. Offers no new insights. Why did it get published today?
Outside of Voerman, Rollo & Burgess some of the football print journalism in NZ is very average.
Shout out to young Sam Coughlan, chief sports writer for the Star here in Christchurch, a weekly free city-wide paper. The Star shares the same ownership as the Otago Daily Times, so he gets articles published in the ODT too. Sam's a good writer and we're lucky to get comprehensive coverage for free every week of the Southern League and Chch sides in the National League. He's also on these Yellow Fever forums under his own name, as Voerman is. Andrew Voerman started out at the Star, as did TV 3 sports reporter Gordon Findlater. So it seems to breed some top sports journalists. Sam Coughlan is also reserve goalie for FC Twenty Eleven and played some Southern League games this season after the first choice goalie got injured. I'd say, a name to watch for future football journalism.
Hannah Wilkinson - not everyone's cup of tea because she was one of those strikers at international level who squandered a lot of chances. At club level, a different story after scoring so many goals at Melbourne City that she quickly became the major club's all-time top goal-scorer - achieving that only halfway through her second season. Melbourne's joint MVP in her first season. Scored five goals in one game in the Melbourne derby in 2021. Had a few injury problems while at Melbourne, as she had throughout her career (two ACL's would frustrate anyone's career). A very popular and well-respected figure at Melbourne City as attested to by coach Dario Vidosic: https://melbournecityfc.com.au/news/20240613-wilkinson-departs/
Enjoy your retirement Hannah, thanks for your long contribution to the Ferns and women's football as a player, as well as your goal against Norway which earned us our first ever win at a WC.
As senior players like Wilkinson, Riley and Percival retire, there is some promising younger talent, though yet to prove themselves fully at international level. The Ferns actually have more players than the All Whites in the world's major leagues (even if many are not playing regularly due to their youth etc.): https://www.ultimatenzsoccer.com/FootballFerns/id11.htm Catherine Bott | Leicester City English top tier Anna Leat | Aston Villa Indiah-Paige Riley | Crystal Palace Milly Clegg | Racing Louisville US top tier Macey Fraser | Utah Royals Kate Taylor | Dijon French top tier Katie Bowen | Inter Milan Italian top tier Kiara Bercelli | Sampdoria ___________________________________ Plus some in the Danish league which occupies a more prominent position in European women's football than in men's football (seventh best women's league in Europe): Ava Collins | Kolding IF Ally Green | AGF Aarhus Malia Steinmetz | FC Nordsjaelland ______________________________________ And several in the English Championship, the strongest women's second-tier national competition in the world, as in men's football (few countries even have national women's second divisions): Hannah Blake | Durham Michaela Foster | Durham Jacqui Hand | Sheffield United Olivia Page | Sheffield United Katie Kitching | Sunderland Grace Neville | London City Lionesses Ashleigh Ward | Southampton _______________________________________ OTHER LEAGUES: Emma Pijnenburg | Feyenoord Lara Colpi | Young Boys Berne Suya Haering | 1.FFC Turbine Potsdam (2.Bundesliga - usually top tier)
Following hours of meetings, exhaustion and emotional turmoil, the Football Ferns have farewelled another head coach, as Jitka Klimkova exits with three years left on her contract. Bonnie Jansen reveals the challenges faced by the team during and after their whirlwind Fifa Women’s World Cup on home soil.
Two days before they faced Thailand in Christchurch, the Football Ferns gathered in a truth circle.
The meeting in April was the first time the team had been home together since their turbulent World Cup campaign in 2023.
What was meant to be a joyous homecoming had turned into a tense, awkward and emotionally charged atmosphere. The mood was far from celebratory.
The truth circle meeting marked a crossroads for a team which had reached breaking point.
Eleven players involved in the squad spoke with the Herald under the condition of anonymity about their experiences in the national team, dating back to late 2021 when head coach Jitka Klimkova signed a six-year contract.
The players revealed the issues within the group had been ongoing for more than two years, and extended beyond the recent allegations of inappropriate behaviour by the outgoing coach, which were revealed by the Herald earlier this month.
Klimkova took the helm of the Football Ferns at the end of 2021, replacing experienced Scot Tom Sermanni.
Sermanni had been in the role since October 2018. The Herald understands Sermanni didn’t reapply for his role beyond the 2021 Summer Olympics because New Zealand Football (NZF) wanted someone long-term.
Klimkova’s six-year contract encompassed three pinnacle events: the home 2023 World Cup, the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2027 World Cup.
She was previously a New Zealand women’s Under-17 coach, and had also coached American age-group teams and Canberra United in the women’s A-League.
Initially, eyebrows were raised at the unprecedented length of the contract, however, most players bought into the concept.
One player said: “I did think [the six-year contract] was weird; I thought that it was crazy that they would sign someone on for so long – but I was naive, I trusted it.”
Another said: “I didn’t really think about that other than that’s really long and I hope she’s good. The way [NZF] pitched it to us was it was going to be so good because we could build the foundations from the ground up and get something really good going and in theory, that’s a great idea.”
“I was excited that we were going to have a coach locked in for a longer period of time. We’d had a lot of coaches come and go in the last few years and I think some stability was a good thing,” another said.
When Klimkova’s appointment was announced in September 2021, NZF chief executive Andrew Pragnell said: “Jitka has a real love for Aotearoa, is a passionate coach, a very strong communicator, and experienced across a range of international football systems.
“Her experiences here, in Australia... and in the United States in the US Soccer system make her amply equipped to prepare the Football Ferns for 2023 and 2027.”
“If you’re not winning games, you shouldn’t still have a job,” one player noted. “From a stability point of view it was exciting to have her locked in, but obviously [we] didn’t realise that they would keep her around regardless of performance – which isn’t good.”
When asked extensive questions about Klimkova’s time in charge of the Football Ferns, the coach and NZF offered a statement about “looking forward at [sic] the exciting future for the team and game in general in Aotearoa New Zealand”.
Players began questioning the coaching staff’s abilities as early as late 2022. Concerns were amplified by the team’s lack of wins, goals, and a steady decline in the world rankings. They also expressed frustration with the excessive focus on the 2027 World Cup, noting that there were no examples of plans or development for how they would succeed when they got there.
When Klimkova took over, New Zealand were ranked 23rd in the world. This month, they hit an all-time low of 31st.
Players said the tours leading to the home tournament were tough.
“It was really, really frustrating,” one player said. “We had a pretty great squad in terms of experience in that year before the World Cup. Once the [draw] came out, we were all really excited about what could happen in the World Cup, because it was such a good opportunity. But we were losing to teams that we wouldn’t have in the past and we were conceding so many more goals than normal.
“There was a loss of trust in what we were doing because we were celebrating things that we weren’t necessarily proud of.
”Twenty twenty-three was one of the stepping stones on the way to 2027. For 2023, it was just about trying to get the first win but it was always ‘we’re going to be amazing by 2027’,” said another player.
Players said this is where annoyance and frustration kicked in; the messaging from staff was always about the bigger picture, process and 2027.
However, the players eagerly anticipated the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, which was set to be the biggest moment of their careers.
The opening match at Eden Park exceeded all expectations for players, staff and fans alike. The thrilling match, unexpected upset and Hannah Wilkinson’s goal marked New Zealand’s first senior World Cup win. It also gave all parties hope that the Football Ferns could change the game in Aotearoa forever.
What was seen to be their toughest fixture of the tournament became the highlight. In the tournament’s opening match, the Ferns beat Norway 1-0 – the Scandinavians were ranked 12th in the world, 14 places ahead of the Kiwis.
Players told the Herald that former Football Fern Kristy Hill – who was brought into the group at the beginning of the tournament to help the Ferns create their own identity – was responsible for much of that success.
“It was definitely all her,” said one player. “She was absolutely instrumental in that win.”
Hill arranged meetings to discuss the group’s values and goals, and what it meant to host the tournament on home soil. Players said that focus united the group.
“Everyone wrote in their [tournament] review how impactful she was... and heavily advised if we’re able to bring her in, even if it’s a home tour or something like that, that would be great. She knows us and she just has this way about it.”
The Herald understands Hill didn’t continue on with the group after that first game because her values didn’t align with that of the fulltime staff.
A reality check hit the Football Ferns hard during their second World Cup match. Suddenly, that Wilkinson goal, the opening win and the emotional high all seemed like a distant memory.
Heading into the game against the Philippines, players were confused when suddenly the formation changed to a 4-3-3. Just days earlier, they had beaten Norway by playing a 4-4-2 shape.
Players expressed to the Herald that there was confusion about the formation change.
This game was meant to be the most straightforward of the group – New Zealand were ranked 20 places higher than the Southeast Asian nation – and the one the team had targeted pre-tournament as their best opportunity to pick up points.
Instead, they lost 1-0 – the worst-case scenario for the Ferns.
The players owned this loss, saying it was as much their fault as it was the staff. However, their confusion was heightened when the formation didn’t switch back to 4-4-2 for their final group game.
Their future in the tournament would be decided against Switzerland in Dunedin.
The Switzerland game was a turning point in the deteriorating relationship between the players and staff. Going into the match, New Zealand had a plan to change to a more attacking formation mid-game, if required.
They would do so if the corresponding Group A fixture between Norway and the Philippines wasn’t playing out the way they needed it to. A draw might have been enough for New Zealand, had the other game also finished level.
However, the game quickly turned into a must-win, as news came that Norway were leading the Philippines 3-0 at halftime. While that information should have created a sense of urgency or drive from the group, players said it was the opposite.
They revealed that in the dressing room Klimkova softly conveyed this news to the team, and only about half the squad actually heard.
“While the game was going on, we weren’t informed of the result of the other match,” one player said. “We were left under the impression that the current score of our game, sitting at 0-0, would get us through to the next round.
“Switzerland changed their formation at halftime, and our current 4-3-3 shape struggled to deal with this. We were waiting for guidance from the sideline, but it never came.”
Players said during a team huddle, they were told to expect a formation change later in the game, triggered by a specific signal. Players said a teammate was pulled aside by Klimkova midway through the second half and asked about switching formations.
The player is believed to have expressed uncertainty as many players were unaware of the score in the other match and believed Klimkova, as the coach, was better positioned to make that decision. After the match, players say there was a significant misunderstanding in the dressing room as Klimkova placed blame on the player for not initiating the formation change.
Earlier, in the 82nd minute of the match, forward Gabi Rennie was subbed on with a note. The note detailed information that players on the field were already aware of – that Switzerland were playing a diamond midfield and “counter-measures” should be taken.
Yet the note failed to include what those counter-measures were. Instead, it was left up to interpretation and for the players to figure it out for themselves. They said there was no information about how to overcome that change in shape.
“I think she genuinely thinks that that’s coaching. We said: ‘We know what formation they are playing – what do you want us to do?’,” one player said.
With about five minutes remaining, the players actioned a formation change themselves, however, it was too late and the final whistle drew an end to their tournament.
Players described the changing room as filled with anger after.
“It was like someone died,” one said. “We were just silent and quiet to ourselves. All of us were just so upset that it was over. No one really knew how to put anything into words straight after the game.”
Others said: “We were beat purely on coaching.”
The opportunity of being successful at a home tournament was “completely missed”.
After the World Cup, the players were frustrated and their mood was dull.
They felt there was a disconnect between staff and players when it came to the disappointment surrounding the World Cup. Players were mad at the missed opportunity of the event, meanwhile, the attitudes coming from staff – particularly at their next camp in Chile in September 2023 – were the opposite. Allegedly the staff seemed satisfied with the win against Norway and inspiring the nation.
“It was so awkward, like, read the room,” one player said. “No one was in a space to just move on. People were all hurting, just recovering or just needing to talk about it.”
Another explained when they came together for that Chile tour, the coaches were “happy as Larry”, while the players arrived like “deflated balloons, still hungover from the World Cup”, one said.
“It was just a massive disconnect on the thoughts of the World Cup, which was also frustrating. That also caused a lot of anger.”
A third player said: “NZF have the lowest bar for us and maybe considering past performances, the bar should be set low, we shouldn’t be expected to win the World Cup, but if you’re trying to actually develop a team and develop women’s football in New Zealand, investment needs to be made to start raising the bar.”
The player believes “NZF as an organisation is so okay with mediocrity”.
Players said there were many meetings over the next three camps in Chile, Spain and Samoa as the players and staff attempted to get on the same page.
When reflecting on the tournament and Klimkova’s tenure, players remembered many “redundant” and lengthy sessions. This was annoying, given time with a national team is already limited and these precious moments should have been focused on playing style or how the team were going to win.
Players said sessions on the pitch would break down with individuals asking for feedback about why it wasn’t working; however, players claim Klimkova couldn’t provide answers. She would instead tell the athletes to continue playing and they would reassess later on film.
“She loved her meetings, some of which I think were really good. But it got to the point where we were just repeating the same things when we could have spent time going over style of play, for example,” said a player.
“I know myself and a lot of the other girls were feeling mentally and emotionally drained as well as physically. You go back into your club environments and it just feels like the life sucked out of you a little bit.”
Another said: “We were begging to get a playing style out of her for the last three-and-a-half years.”
Players described Klimkova’s coaching style as “basic”, “unproductive” and “insecure”.
It wasn’t until April 2024 in Christchurch that players got to address both their hurt and concerns for the future of the team.
Players sat in a circle with NZF staff, from both inside and outside of the team environment, who were invited to attend given it was a home game.
A representative from High Performance Sport New Zealand, Christian Penny, attended the meeting.
In a statement, HPSNZ director of high performance Steve Tew said: “Christian Penny leads the Coach Accelerator Programme at High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ), which former Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimkova undertook as part of her coaching development.
“This programme involves Christian being a support person for the coaches if and when needed.
“In April, Jitka invited Christian to run a number of sessions with Football Ferns players, coaching and support staff, designed to help the team connect with each other and build team culture.
“HPSNZ is aware there are still unresolved issues and has been in contact with NZ Football to offer support if requested. However, as these issues are within NZ Football’s domain, and noting we don’t have a core investment relationship with the Football Ferns, we are not in a position to comment further.”
Players said these dialogues extended beyond two hours, and they described the atmosphere as awkward and traumatising.
Players were asked to express their concerns with the Ferns’ environment because the disconnect between players and staff had reached an all-time high. The players said they had reiterated that they wanted a clear-cut playing style that would set them up for success on the world stage.
They said they wanted more tactical information to help understand exactly who they are and what they have to do to win.
Encouraged to not hold anything back, a senior player was designated by the team to speak on their behalf. When the senior player’s position as team spokeswoman was questioned by an NZF official, the playing group unanimously backed them to continue doing so, with a collective raising of hands.
One said: “Every single player in that room put their hand up high.”
Another adding: “I’ve never experienced anything like it. The tension in the room was palpable.”
They said the meeting ended with no resolutions and left players in an uncomfortable position as they attempted to play Thailand two days later.
The fight wasn’t over for the Football Ferns, who felt their voices still needed to be heard regarding a more significant matter.
Ferns players started to express their concerns to the sport’s national body over allegations of inappropriate behaviour at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup towards a player by Klimkova.
Ten of the complainant’s teammates spoke with the Herald about the alleged incident after the majority of the current squad had written formal letters to NZF. The letters are believed to include criticism of the national body’s handling of the matter and concerns about the unprofessionalism of the incident.
One player told the Herald: “NZF have created an environment where players are fearful of reporting issues. They need to take huge strides to improve their safeguarding, which at the moment feels non-existent.”
The players say their motivation for action was not a drive to have Klimkova fired, but instead to ensure player welfare.
“Our biggest concern was our teammates and how people would feel being in an environment when there was confusion and an uncomfortable feeling,” another player told the Herald.
The Paris 2024 Olympics – which is considered a pinnacle event for women’s football – wasn’t taken seriously enough, according to some players.
While the mood without Klimkova had improved and players felt more comfortable given the recent allegations, players claim the coaching was still questionable and the disconnect between staff and players prevailed.
Players told the Herald it seemed there was no identity or plan in place for the tournament. The players’ responsibilities then began extending beyond their duties on the pitch as they attempted to come up with solutions to help the team win.
One player who took on extra responsibilities described it as “insane”.
“Players were expected to create aspects of the game plan and tactics in groups, something that is generally the coaches’ role. Most of this was based on the opposition, not the Ferns, and caused a lack of identity on the pitch.
“The lack of guidance really set us up for failure. We had staff who were hired for six years and were entrusted to develop our team, and women’s football in New Zealand. Yet we, the players, were being asked to create the game plans.
“We were like coaches and not wanting to be. We were having to wear so many hats. It was miserable.
“I’ve never been so exhausted and mentally broken in my life.”
The Ferns went on to lose all three games in a tough group in Paris. Prior to the Games, players were told by NZF that a restorative justice process would commence between players and Klimkova afterwards.
After the Olympics, players asked for an update and were told by NZF that a resolution would be announced in the coming days. The players found out about Klimkova’s departure from the team one day before it was announced publicly on September 13.
There are currently no international fixtures scheduled for the Football Ferns.
Pragnell outlined last month there is no time pressure to replace Klimkova, however, they want someone to fit the current structures.
“We’re going into the next few months with some really robust campaign planning,” Pragnell said. “What I’m not keen to do is throw the baby out with the bath water and that’s what – to be quite frank – we’ve got a history of doing.”
One player said in response: “We need someone who develops the team, who challenges the team in a positive and productive way. Someone who is confident and can adequately communicate their plans to both NZF and the team.”
Players are eager to see NZF’s next hire for the role be someone who is going to help develop women’s football from the ground up.
Klimkova remains employed with NZF until early 2025 in a technical-analysis capacity.
“As you are aware, Jitka Klimkova stepped down as head coach of the Football Ferns in September and we are firmly focused on looking forward at the exciting future for the team and game in general in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“We will be announcing our next set of fixtures shortly and have commenced the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2027 campaign planning process, to put the team in the best place to qualify for, win games and progress out of the group in 2027.
“Football continues to go from strength to strength, with 2024 being our biggest ever community football season, inspired by the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023, and football now being the most played team sport in the country.
“The game will only continue to grow with the impact of Auckland FC and a run of home international games for both our men’s and women’s senior sides.
Bonnie Jansen is a multimedia journalist in the NZME sports team. She’s a football commentator and co-host of the Football Fever podcast, and was part of the Te Rito cadetship scheme before becoming a fulltime journalist.
Can be easily summarised as: Jitka was a dud who should never have been given a 6 year contract. But we all knew that already.
Seemed rather bizarre that the number 1 priority seemed to be the 27 World Cup and that the 23 World Cup was seen as a stepping stone towards it. Talk about missing a forest for the trees.
Also seems the NZF culture of backing their own people and staff to the hilt and never admitting wrongdoing or that things could be improved just made everything worse. Pragnell would to this day swear to you that hiring Jitka and giving her that guaranteed 6 year contract was the right call and that it is vindicated by the Norway win (he literally did this in his recent interview with Piney), which is just infuriating.
That's the biggest remaining problem here. Seems the Ferns are very frustrated about what had happened and NZF just want it swept under the rug and forgotten about and there has been no acknowledgement that things could have been done better. Makes it hard for the Ferns and the public to expect anything better to happen in future. Also seems the Ferns aren't that impressed by Michael Mayne either.
Fascinating read, none of which is really suprising given a bit of thought about it. The players all realised about the same time we did that the coach was crap and completely unqualified for the job. Who can blame Jitka for taking the job though? Six years guaranteed pay as a football coach, not a bad deal at all.
It's kind of funny really that this article talks about the tactical and coaching deficiencies that revealed themselves in camp when these same flaws were on display for all of us every time Klimkova opened her mouth.
Still, she had to have some backing, you wouldn't have had Riley making herself look very stupid in a certain press conference if she didn't back the coach, there's no way you'd agree to it otherwise.
I do think it's still not entirely fair to blame Klimkova for us not winning games, sure the tactics don't help but the reality is that the women out on the pitch really aren't up to standard for the higher caliber of the women's game now. It will take us a while to really develope a genuinely strong squad again. It my never even happen if other nations continue to get stronger relative to us.
It's a whole combination fried rice of problems all coming together at once.
Also fudge NZ Fooball for their shark culture and lack of ambition.
Were any Ferns players part of the panel that chose to appoint Klimkova coach? From memory Wood & Bell (plus ex players like Nelsen) were part of the panel, that eventually was left with last man standing Bazeley for the AWs.
Have a couple of senior Ferns part of the selection panel for Klimkova's replacement. Lessens the risk of appointing a dud, and/or someone who won't relate well with the players. Give them to the end of the 2027 WC and hope we don't go down this dysfunctional FFs road yet again. And yeah based on that article above, and the Paris Olympics comments it's probably not Michael Mayne.
I also remember Sermanni saying something along the lines, that he felt he couldn't take the team any higher or improve the side. Like he felt his time was done basically, plus from memory he never actually lived in NZ (Sydney based). So not ideal when you are also trying to align with various other NZF coaches, under age national women's programmes etc.
And just quickly re Big Pete's post above.
Bott, Taylor & Bowen are starting regularly. I-P Riley is coming off the pine mostly for Palace. Leat I'm pretty sure is the no 2 GK at Villa (injured at the moment). Fraser has had some playing time in the NWSL with Utah, but if it's true she is in NZ, her immediate future looks uncertain. Clegg and Bercelli are both yet to debut for their clubs, though both have been in match day squads.
The U20s struggled at their recent WC, and we get a look at the latest U17s squad tomorrow.
I think the CBA agreement signed in 2018 says they have to be consulted on the coach - remember there was a controversy around this not happening just before then when Heraf came in
Thanks Wusty for posting that. Its very interesting, although I'm not sure what to make of it.
Clearly, there was a divide between player expectations and Management control, and thats not the first time in recent years. Reports from the Olympics suggest there is still a divide after Klimkova\s departure.
I do think modern football can mean Coaches are too controlling, and I believe they should nurture the skills and talents of the team more. But the players here seem to think they havent been given enough direction.
Maybe thats because the coaching generally has become too detailed and robotic, rather than offering a base plan that relies on the skills of the players to work out whats best on the pitch. That is certainly my way of operating, as I think the surprise and intuition of players is being removed by oppressive instructions and demands.
The last thing I want in a players head when they receive a ball is "now, what im supposed to do here is to ..."
Thanks Wusty for posting that. Its very interesting, although I'm not sure what to make of it.
Clearly, there was a divide between player expectations and Management control, and thats not the first time in recent years. Reports from the Olympics suggest there is still a divide after Klimkova\s departure.
I do think modern football can mean Coaches are too controlling, and I believe they should nurture the skills and talents of the team more. But the players here seem to think they havent been given enough direction.
Maybe thats because the coaching generally has become too detailed and robotic, rather than offering a base plan that relies on the skills of the players to work out whats best on the pitch. That is certainly my way of operating, as I think the surprise and intuition of players is being removed by oppressive instructions and demands.
The last thing I want in a players head when they receive a ball is "now, what im supposed to do here is to ..."
Maybe Im just old fashioned...
Clearly Klimkova was just not good at her job. It sounds to me like she may have had some kind of an idea of what she wanted but couldnt communicate it to the players and they in turn couldnt produce what she wanted. This upsets her, and then the players got hurt upset cos they were losing, confused and uncertain about the plan! I listen to Cheify and how he talks about giving the players the plans and letting them do the job on the field. That's how it should be! BUT, you have to be a good communicator to get the plan across to the entire squad and you have to be able to get everyone to buy into it. Klimkova was not a good communicator, she barely seemed to be able to get three sentences straight. As a player I'd have hated trying to understand what she wanted especially if she was getting angry or riled up about something! NZF need to take some responsibility for this mess, they hired her on some believe that Klimkova knew New Zealand football from her two years with the U17 and as an assistant to the Ferns in 13/14. That's two coaching fudge ups since 2018. I can't recall how good or bad Heraf was before Semanni and Klimkova?
Oh wait yes I do, he was the "we'll never have the quality to beat good teams" guy after losing to Japan. So that's almost a decade of bad coaching decisions, and we wonder why this team is going backwards?
I think all three parties are guilty (Jitka, players and NZF).
The Ferns have been gash for ages. The last four coaches have all achieved squat. Jitka and Mayne are clearly not good enough but then neither were a lot of the 100 cap club.
To this day I think Heraf told players some home truths and the inflated egos of some of the players did not like being told those home truths. He handled the media poorly but then he was new to NZ and the Anglophile world as a whole. I see his way of talking all the time in my place of employment. I have male and female colleagues from all over Europe, the Americas and the Middle East who likewise struggle with Anglophile ways of saying and doing things. This causes friction in a British business at times but we build bridges to surmount them. Someone NZF should learn to do the same.
I like the idea of no Ferns games for a while. That has helped the AWs at times too when coaches/NZF (NZS etc) have fudgeed things up.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites
Putting the madness of Dronegate aside, I think this would be good news for NZ womens football if so. Priestman & Humphries seem a well respected football double act. Priestman an assistant coach of the English women's team when Phil Neville was in charge.
Found this little gem on Wiki. Was Herdman a big dark influence on her foolish journey into the spy game?
At age 12, Priestman signed-up for futsal in Consett, UK, under John Herdman, who was at the time a university lecturer and a part-time football coach.
Was listening to this week's Football Fever podcast this morning and there was a suggestion that Bev Priestman could also be in line for the AFC Women's job as timing of her ban would work out well for next season
She'd have to be a contender, but that would definitely mean living in Auckland with her wife in Wellington. Plus just a little awkward with them each working for the different derby rival.
Plus coaching a ALW side quite a step down from the 2020 Olympic winning Canadian women's team. The Football Ferns job, you can likely do whilst mostly based in Welly, and it's still an international football gig.
