New Zealand Football wishes to thank outgoing Football Ferns head coach Tom Sermanni for his service.

His tenure began in October 2018, initially on a 9-month contract. He led the Ferns at the 2018 OFC Women’s Nations Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019, Algarve Cup 2020, and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and to stand-out friendly wins against England and Norway over the last two and a half years. 

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games was a tough assignment to finish on, with the Football Ferns unable to assemble for 16 months due to the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and then grouped with three of the four tournament semi-finalists (silver medallists Sweden, bronze medallists USA, and Australia). However, the tournament did provide some highlights - such as the debut goal from young forward Gabi Rennie against Australia, and stalwart Hannah Wilkinson bringing up a century of caps for the Ferns.

“Tom has been a steady and experienced hand at the helm of the Ferns during some, it is fair to say, difficult times,” says New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell.

“He came in at the end of 2018 to steady the ship, and his work with the team to rebuild and reconnect the foundation of the Football Ferns has been invaluable. While the lead up to Tokyo was challenging, and draw very tough, he has been a very positive force within the team.

“On behalf of New Zealand Football and the football community in Aotearoa New Zealand I’d like to thank Tom for his immense contribution to the game here.

“We wish him every success in whatever he chooses to do next, and the door remains open for future involvement with football in Aotearoa,” says Pragnell.

“It has been an honour to have led the Football Ferns,” says Sermanni.

“I’d like to thank, first and foremost, the players and staff, who have worked with me for what has turned out to be a very long nine months! My thanks also goes to everybody at New Zealand Football, who have been incredibly supportive during some difficult times.

“While we felt we were in a good place after the Algarve Cup in March 2020, the challenges of COVID-19 and not being able to assemble the team for 16 months ­did hamper our development since, and I’m disappointed to have not been able to contribute more to the development of the team, and the development of the programmes below it.

“I’m looking forward to following the progress of the Football Ferns programme to the home World Cup in 2023.”

Sermanni’s departure also marks the end of assistant coach Owain Prosser’s time with the side, as the Oceania Football Confederation head of high performance and education brings eight years of coaching with New Zealand Football sides, from age group through to the Football Ferns, to a close.

Sermanni’s successor will be confirmed by New Zealand Football in due course.

Article added: Monday 30 August 2021