Michael Mayne stepped in as Football Ferns coach after Jitka Klimkova left the role. Photo / Photosport
Michael Mayne stepped in as Football Ferns coach after Jitka Klimkova left the role. Photo / Photosport
Michael Mayne wants the Football Ferns job on a permanent basis – and is confident the team can make a fresh start after recent turmoil.
Mayne, who has been the interim head coach since May last year, will be in charge when the Ferns take the field next February on a two-match trip to Costa Rica.
It will be their first competitive matches in almost nine months, since the Paris Olympics.
Mayne has spent the time since then building a campaign plan for the next cycle, as well as gathering feedback and assessing lessons from the previous one. That process has strengthened his resolve about the future, along with his desire to have the fulltime role.
“There’s a strong belief in what I think I can shift with the Football Ferns. I hold some strong ideas on how we can perform on the grass. I’ve had almost 10 years in the pathway, seen a lot of players come through and [I’d be] excited about taking this opportunity on a permanent basis. [So] once that process happens I’ll hopefully put a strong case to continue but the focus at the moment is to make sure we start well against Costa Rica.”
As well as performances, Mayne will have to demonstrate the team can move on from the upheaval and drama of this year. Former mentor Jitka Klimkova stepped away from the job in late May, pending an investigation into an off-field incident.
She was subsequently cleared by an independent probe in June, with an intention of returning for the Paris Olympics, before it was decided there wasn’t enough time to repair relationships. Mayne took the helm in Paris, before Klimkova confirmed her definite exit in September.
After her departure there were strong allegations made in a Herald article from a group of Ferns about the culture and environment under Klimkova and her staff. The alleged issues also extended to the Olympics campaign, with players claiming – on an anonymous basis – that there was a limited plan in place and the squad were given too much responsibility, including creating game plans and tactics.
The cohort of players also alleged a disconnect between the coaching staff and squad.
“I’m well aware of the feedback, it came out in the report and that is the point of the process, to understand everybody – players, staff, all the support staff … all their views and what can help the team move forward," said Mayne.
“I want to make sure that those conversations are well down the path so that by the time we get to tour we are in a position we can launch from. It’s a natural part of the process, people have feedback, it is what it is, we need to make sure we listen to that.
“This is a new cycle, where we get to reset for the team. It’s about how we take those lessons and start this new cycle in a positive way. That’s where those discussions have been really useful, in spending time with the players… [seeing] what can we learn and how can me and my staff support this team so that we can move forward.”
Asked how he planned to improve the Fern’s culture and environment, Mayne spoke generally rather than specific.
“My job is to get the team to perform on the pitch,” said Mayne. “That is ultimately where I will be judged and where people will be excited to see progress. Anything I do off the pitch with the team, it has to revolve about making sure we land in these games.”
Mayne has been assessing a wider pool of between 45-55 players and is excited about the talent coming through. He agrees there is a chance to promote youth, with the next pinnacle event still two and a half years away.
“That’s part of building this plan, forecasting where we need to be in 2027,” said Mayne.
“I’m approaching this with the hope that I may play that role but if not, it’s doing my part right now to start this new cycle, reset the team and be ambitious in the goals we have set ourselves.”
Mayne said New Zealand Football (NZF) were “well down the track” with confirming opponents for games in April and June, with the hope one of those windows would include home fixtures.
In terms of the coach, NZF has yet to begin a recruitment process. It’s expected a decision about the new Ferns coach will be made in the second quarter of 2025.
Football Ferns vs Costa Rica Sunday, February 23, 1pm (NZT) San Jose, Costa Rica Wednesday, February 26, 11am (NZT) San Jose, Costa Rica
