Jitka Klimková resigns as Football Ferns coach
Friday, 13 September 2024
Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimková has resigned.
Klimková was contracted through to the 2027 World Cup.
Klimková had stepped aside for the Paris Olympics.
Jitka Klimková has ended the uncertainty surrounding her future as Football Ferns coach by resigning three years into a six-year term.
The Czech native won’t be returning to the role she has held since September 2021 after stepping aside for the Paris Olympics following an investigation into an undisclosed employment matter.
Assistant coach Michael Mayne took the team on an interim basis in her absence, even though Klimková was cleared of any wrongdoing.
At the time, New Zealand Football said “it would not be the right time for her [Klimková] to return” due to concerns in relation to the team environment, her wellbeing and a restorative process having not been completed.
NZ Football announced Klimková’s resignation via a statement on Friday morning and said they would not be conducting any interviews.
Klimková was hired on a six-year contract in attempt to provide continuity through two World Cup cycles but the Ferns have plummeted to a record low ranking of 31 under her watch, winning just 11 of their 39 matches since she took charge.
“I want to thank Jitka for her time as Ferns head coach and the major role she has played in bringing through a new generation of players,” NZ Football CEO Andrew Pragnell said.
“She will forever be remembered as the coach who led us to our first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup win, a historic, game-changing moment for football in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“We wish her the absolute best in whatever she chooses to do next.”
Klimková became the first woman to coach the Ferns on a fulltime basis when she was hired to replace Tom Sermanni following the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She was contracted through to the next World Cup in 2027.
She previously worked for NZ Football as coach of the national under-17 women’s team, taking them to the 2014 World Cup, and also worked as an assistant with the under-20s and the Ferns.
The clear highlight of Klimková’s tenure as Ferns coach came in July last year when she guided New Zealand to their first-ever win at a FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Ferns achieved the milestone result by stunning Norway 1-0 in the opening game of the tournament at a packed Eden Park thanks to a first-half goal from striker Hannah Wilkinson.
It was a dream start to the home World Cup but the Ferns were unable to capitalise and failed to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time after backing up with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to the Philippines and a frustrating 0-0 draw with Switzerland.
Mayne, who led the team at the Paris Olympics in Klimková’s absence, will continue as Ferns coach in an interim capacity while attention turns to finding a permanent replacement.
Wellington Phoenix coaches past and present Gemma Lewis and Paul Temple loom as early contenders, along with some of the top Australian coaches in the A-League Women who won’t get a look-in for the vacant Matildas job.
The Ferns do not have any games scheduled for the October and November FIFA international windows.
Despite resigning as Ferns coach, Klimková will remain working for NZ Football for the next six months, supporting the high performance department and national team activity.
Last week, she was spotted in the crowd on the live broadcast watching New Zealand play Austria at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
“I would like to thank New Zealand Football for the opportunity to coach the Football Ferns these last three years, it was a great honour representing Aotearoa around the world,” Klimková said in a statement.
“I very much enjoyed working with the players, the coaches, the support staff, and the many great people in football and high performance sport across New Zealand.
“This experience was a challenge and made me stronger. I believe now is the right time to step away and let another coach carry on.
“I will forever cheer for the Kiwis in sports.”