Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimkova takes time off amid investigation into ‘employment-related matters’

Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimkova will miss New Zealand’s upcoming international friendlies as an investigation into what the national association has described as an “employment-related matter” is completed.

Klimkova, 49, has decided to take time off while the investigation continues and will be replaced by assistant coach Michael Mayne for her team’s match against Japan in Murcia, Spain.

In a statement, the New Zealand Football Association stressed that there would be no further comment from officials, players and staff on the matter until the investigation was completed.

Since taking over as Football Ferns coach in 2021, Klimkova has refereed 39 matches for the New Zealand women’s team.

Of these 39 games, the Football Ferns have won eleven, drawn seven and lost 21.

Klimkova was responsible for New Zealand’s exit from the group stages of the 2023 Women’s World Cup on home soil. The Football Ferns surprised everyone with an opening win against Norway before finishing third in Group A following a surprise loss to the Philippines and a draw with Switzerland.

Only John Herdman (68 games) and Tony Readings (82 games) have coached the Football Ferns longer than Klimkova.

The Football Ferns will face Japan on June 1 and 4 at the Estadio Nueva Condomina in Murcia, Spain.

New Zealand has also been drawn to face reigning champions Canada, Colombia and hosts France at this year’s Olympic Games in Paris.