New Zealand Football have appointed Jitka Klimková as the new Football Ferns head coach. 

Contracted to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, Klimková is a UEFA Pro License holder and W-League winner with Canberra United.

No stranger to New Zealand, the experienced coach was head coach of the U-17 women at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2014 and has served as assistant coach to the U-20 women and the Football Ferns.

A former defender for the Czech Republic, Klimková was appointed the United States U-19 women’s coach in 2015, and part of the wider staff of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 winning USWNT. She was head coach of the United States U-20 women’s side at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2018.

“We’re delighted to appoint a coach of Jitka’s calibre to lead the Football Ferns into preparations for the home FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and beyond,” said New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell.

“A familiar face to many in the Football Ferns having previously served as head coach of the U-17s and as assistant coach of the U-20s and senior Football Ferns, she has a real understanding of New Zealand’s football ecosystem.

“Jitka has a real love for New Zealand, is a passionate coach, a very strong communicator, and experienced across a range of international football systems.

“Her experiences here, in Australia – where she won the W-League and was honoured as coach of the year – and in the United States in the US Soccer system make her amply equipped to prepare the Football Ferns for the 2023 and 2027.

“We look forward to welcoming Jitka as she moves back to New Zealand.”

Klimková said she is delighted to be returning to New Zealand.

“I’m so honoured and proud to be the Football Ferns’ head coach,” she said.

“I can’t wait to meet the players, to meet the coaches, to meet the employees of New Zealand Football. It’s going to be an amazing journey.

“Our goal is to win our first ever games during the World Cup and what better timing than at home on our home soil?”

Currently based in the Czech Republic, Klimková will relocate to New Zealand to take up the role. Klimková will officially begin her tenure as Football Ferns head coach in October.

Information around Football Ferns games will be announced in due course.

Courtesy of NZF

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