McFarland takes over from Steve Cain who resigned from the role for personal reasons.
McFarland, co-coach of the Auckland City side that finished runners up to Waitakere United in the ASB Premiership and is midway through the two-legged final of the O-League, was an assistant coach of the New Zealand U-17 squad in 2009.
That team made history by becoming the first New Zealand side to make it past the group stages of a FIFA event, posting successive 1-1 draws against Costa Rica, Burkina Faso and Turkey to earn a place in the Round of 16. The Kiwis’ historical run came to an end at that point with a 5-0 loss to host nation Nigeria.
McFarland will hope to improve upon that showing at this year’s event in Mexico but has a pressing matter to take care of first in the form of the O-League final. The Auckland City side he co-coaches with Ramon Tribulietx go into this Sunday’s second leg with a 2-1 advantage after defeating Vanuatu’s Amicale by that scoreline in Port Vila on April 2.
If they can make the most of their position this weekend and win the 2011 O-League title, Auckland will qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup, to be held in Japan during December, and earn a US$500,000 pay cheque.
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