Mayne new Football Ferns head coach
- Dave Worsley
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Michael Mayne has moved from interim to head coach of the Football Ferns to lead the team for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 cycle.
In taking on the role, Mayne becomes the first New Zealand-born Ferns head coach in over 20 years.
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After being in the role on an interim basis, Mayne becomes the permanent head coach ahead of the team’s two-match series in Spain next month against Venezuela.
Prior to his current position, Mayne was assistant coach with the Ford Football Ferns for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and Paris 2024 Olympic cycle.
He has held coaching roles in multiple cycles with the New Zealand U-17 and U-20 women’s team, including for the historic bronze medal win at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2018.
Domestically he has coached at the top level of the women’s game in Aotearoa, and was among the first coaches in the country to undertake the OFC Pro Licence, the globally recognised gold standard for elite-level coaching.
New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell was pleased to finally confim Mayne in the position.
“I am delighted to announce Michael as the Ford Football Ferns head coach.
“A connection to Aotearoa New Zealand is significant when we are looking to recruit people into our high performance programmes, so I think it speaks volumes for the football system in this country that Michael is someone who has come through the coaching pathway here and got to the top level of the game.
“He combines an understanding of the international game, high levels of integrity and strong standards and values, with deep knowledge of football in this country, and that is the perfect blend for us and how we want to develop as a team.
“We look forward to working with Michael and seeing him take this team to the next level in 2027”.
Mayne was thrilled to gain the full role and proud of what he had achieved so far.
“Firstly, I want to thank Andrew and New Zealand Football for the faith they have put in me by offering me this role.
“To be head coach of your country is something I absolutely do not take lightly and it is a proud moment for me and my family.
“There are a lot of people that have invested time and effort in me throughout my coaching career, and this is an acknowledgement to their belief and support they have given as well.
“While in the role on an interim basis I’ve been really pleased with the work we have been able to start as a team, so it is a real privilege to be in a position to continue to drive that forward.
“This is an exciting, talented, and motivated group of players, and we can move forward now with our plan, with a lot of new energy, and push ourselves to reach that next level and that starts immediately against Venezuela.”