Jitka Klimková returns as Football Ferns coach after employment investigation

Saturday, 8 June 2024

Jitka Klimková has been restored in her role as Football Ferns coach following an investigation into an employment matter.

Klimková took leave and missed the Ferns’ matches against Japan earlier this month while the investigation took place.

The Ferns are next set to be in action in mid-July, before taking part in the women’s football tournament at the Paris Olympics.

Jitka Klimková has returned as Football Ferns coach “with immediate effect” following an investigation into an employment matter.

Klimková took leave while the Ferns played a pair of friendlies against Japan in Spain earlier this month, with the investigation ongoing.

In a statement issued on Saturday, New Zealand Football said that “with the investigation … carried out by an independent workplace investigator, now concluded, Klimková will return with immediate effect”.

“As is standard in workplace investigations and employment matters, findings of the investigation are strictly confidential to the related parties.”

Klimková has been in charge of the Ferns since October 2021 and has overseen 39 matches, for a total of 11 wins, seven draws and 21 losses.

In her absence, assistant coach Michael Mayne took charge for the friendlies against Japan, where the Ferns suffered 2-0 and 4-1 defeats against a vastly superior opponent.

The lone highlight was teenage forward Milly Clegg scoring her first international goal, to give the Ferns the lead in the second match, before a second-half collapse.

Klimková is set to name her squad for the Paris Olympics in the first week of July, with the Ferns next matches due to take place the following week, during that month’s international window.

They then begin their Olympic campaign on July 26 (NZ time), against Canada in Saint-Étienne, with matches against Colombia and the hosts to follow in Lyon, on July 29 and August 1.