Michael Mayne addresses the Football Ferns at halftime in their international friendly against Japan. Photo: photosport
Recruitment for the next permanent Football Ferns head coach ends this month according to New Zealand Football.
The team has been coached by Michael Mayne since the middle of last year when head coach Jitka Klimkova stepped away due to an employment matter.
Mayne took control of the team for friendlies and for the Paris Olympics.
New Zealand Football said interim head coach Mayne would also coach the team against Venezuela next month in Spain - suggesting he has locked in the head coach role permanently.
The two games against Venezuela will be the first time at senior international level the two countries have met.
The first match against the world number 51 South American side will be played on 1 June with the second on 4 June.
The first game will be played at the Marbella Football Centre in San Pedro de Alcántara with the venue for the second game to be announced.
The Football Ferns' last scheduled international friendlies against Chinese Taipei did not go to plan with both matches called off due to concerns about the playing surface.
"After the disappointment of not being able to play in the last international window due to issues outside of our control, securing matches this window was crucial so we can continue to build on the work we have implemented so far this year," Mayne said.
"Venezuela are again a great fit for this stage of the campaign and have a player in [former Wellington Phoenix player] Mariana Speckmaier that is very well known to our team.
"It was important for us to find games this window that can allow us to test our squad and the way we are developing our play in competitive matches, and Venezuela will offer that perfect challenge point.
"The team have been really receptive to the new playing model, new language, and new ideas for how we work, so I'm looking forward to getting to Spain and supporting the team with getting some really strong performances out on the pitch against Venezuela."
Wellington Phoenix assistant takes on interim head coach role
Wellington Phoenix Photo: Masanori Udagawa
Wellington Phoenix women's assistant coach Amy Shepherd will stay with the club next season and support a yet to be employed new head coach.
Shepherd will take on on greater responsibility during the off-season, serving as the interim head coach until a permanent appointment is made in late July.
Shepherd is believed to be the only full-time assistant in the women's competition and that backing from the Phoenix is a big reason why she said she has re-signed.
"The Phoenix invests heavily in the women's programme and unlike all the other clubs in the A-League has seven full-time staff.
"The facilities here are second to none. For the players be able to train at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) day-in, day-out is incredible.
"As a learning environment and somewhere to grow, develop and push for success I wouldn't want to be anywhere else other than the Phoenix."
One of Shepherd's priorities over the next couple of months will be player recruitment, in which she will be supported by academy director and former Football Fern, Emma Humphries.
"I think it's a great opportunity for me to be involved in the season planning and recruitment process.
"We'll aim to set us up for success so the new head coach can hit the ground running."
Humphries previously served as the assistant coach at Liverpool FC in the English Women's Super League and has experience in player recruitment.
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