Canada’s national coach John Herdman says he’s turned down New Zealand Football’s offer to take over as the All Whites head coach.
Speculation overnight suggested former Football Ferns coach Herdman was the preferred candidate for the New Zealand job but his appointment was delayed because of his need to manage a family health issue.
However, Herdman has since made a statement ruling himself out of contention:
“Success at this level will always invite opportunity,” Herdman said through Canada Soccer.
“I’ve received several offers in recent months, all of which I have turned down, including an offer from New Zealand Football.
“To our Canadian players and our fans, I want to reiterate my commitment to Canada Soccer and the growing of this programme. At the World Cup in Qatar, our men showed the world that they belong at that level.
“I’m not going anywhere.
“We still have a job to do, and the objective is to take this team to the next level in 2026.”
Herdman under contract till 2026
Canada Soccer’s general secretary, Earl Cochrane, said Herdman was under contract till the 2026 FIFA World Cup which Canada is co-hosting.
“There is no doubt how much passion and commitment John and his coaching staff have poured into our men’s national team program, taking our men from outsiders to our first World Cup in 36 years,” Cochrane said.
“Everyone in our organization is committed to John and his coaching staff and he is the right person to take our country to new heights.”
Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis said:
“We all look forward to having John be our men’s national team coach throughout the term of his contract.”
Herdman’s fast track to the top
Herdman has had a meteoric coaching career since leading New Zealand’s U-20 women’s teams at age group World Cups in 2006 and 2010.
He coached the Football Ferns at FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2007 and 2011.
He left to become head coach of the Canadian women’s national team, and then became head coach of the Canadian men’s national team, leading them to the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar.
His son, Jay, who was born in Invercargill, represented New Zealand at the OFC U-19 Championship in Tahiti last year, winning qualification to this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup.
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