New Zealand Football has confirmed Andreas Heraf as the new head coach of the Football Ferns.
The Football Ferns have a new head coach. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Heraf, who signed on as technical director of NZF in April, will complete both roles and will be assisted by New Zealand women's under-20 coach Gareth Turnbull .
Heraf replaces Tony Readings after his shock resignation in September.
The 50-year-old Austrian took charge of the Ferns' recent tour of Thailand, where the team had a 0-0 draw and 5-0 victory.
Heraf has signed on to lead the team for two years and said he believed the team had the potential to perform well on the world stage.
"I have enjoyed being part of this environment on the USA Tour and more recently in Thailand. I feel we are making good progress, but the exciting thing is there is much more growth to come.
"Over the next two years, the goal for the team is qualifying for the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup in France.
"We have seen the Ferns beat some of the best teams in the world in friendlies and the challenge for 2019 is to be able to do that at a pinnacle event."
Heraf came to New Zealand on the back of roles as a coach and administrator with the Austrian Football Association.
NZF chief executive Andy Martin, who was in Thailand for the impressive win, had no doubt Heraf and Turnbull would do a good job in guiding the Ferns during the business end of this World Cup cycle.
"Andreas has made an immediate impact on our technical department and he also made some very positive changes to the Ferns in November," Martin said.
"We are looking forward to seeing that continue in the next two years as he looks to achieve our strategic goal of our elite teams winning on the world stage.
"With Gareth's knowledge of the local players and Andreas' coaching experience at the highest level, we feel they will form a great partnership and help take the Ferns to another level."
