Former Football Ferns coach appointed to lead Czech national team

Former Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimková has landed a new role as the national team coach for the Czech Republic.

The 50-year-old who is finishing off her contract with New Zealand Football has signed a two-year deal with the 29th-ranked side.

The Czech national quit her job as the New Zealand senior women’s coach in September after an alleged incident at the Fifa Women’s World Cup in 2023 resulted in a third-party independent employment investigation.

Michael Mayne stepped in as interim coach.

At the time, the Herald reported how Football Ferns players expressed concerns to the sport’s national body over allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a player by the outgoing coach.

Since taking charge of the Football Ferns in 2021, Klimkova oversaw 39 matches with the New Zealand women’s side.

Of those 39 games, the Football Ferns won 11, with seven draws to go with 21 defeats.

She was at the helm for half of her six-year contract leading the team through a World Cup and Olympic cycle.

Klimkova replaces national team coach Karel Radu, who resigned after his team was unsuccessful in its bid to qualify for the EURO Championships.

Football Association of the Czech Republic chairman Petr Fousek said: “She is the most successful Czech women’s football coach, who has many years of experience coaching at the highest level, especially in the USA, which is a powerhouse in women’s football.

“She has achieved a number of extraordinary successes abroad and it is good for us that she now wants to use her experience with the Czech national team.”

Klimková said: “I believe it is the right time to return and utilise my experience at home in the Czech Republic.

“Our main goal is to set a playing style that will contribute to success in the Nations League. Next year, we will then fight for participation in the Women’s World Cup.”

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission