Michael Mayne, the interim New Zealand coach of the Football Ferns will continue to lead the team for two friendly matches against Costa Rica during February. The national federation is still searching for a permanent successor following Jitka Klemkova's departure.

Klimkova was placed on leave in May, and she resigned as head coach of the New Zealand Football team in September. The investigation by New Zealand Football cleared her of any wrongdoing relating to an "undisclosed workplace employment matter".

Three consecutive defeats for New Zealand under Mayne saw them crash out of the Paris Olympics, in July.

NZF gave Mayne no guarantees about his future. However, the caretaker manager hopes to keep the position for a long time as the Ferns begin a new World Cup qualification cycle.

He told New Zealand's media that he was approaching the situation as if he were going to finish it.

We'll review it as New Zealand Football goes through the process, but what is important is that we already have a plan in place that we can implement.

"I'm here primarily to ensure that what is on the field is exciting to watch, and that we can progress in each tour until NZ Football decides which direction it wants to go."

Klimkova led the Ferns to a first-ever World Cup win on home soil in the last tournament, but ended her career with 11 wins from 39 matches.

The NZF retracted its decision to allow her to coach at the Olympics, citing a "restorative" process that was incomplete and the team's environment.

Mayne stated that he has reached out to the players to hear their concerns.

He said: "I think what I've learned is that there's an actual desire to see this programme move forward, and I believe we have a group that's motivated to do so."

New Zealand will prepare for World Cup qualification with two matches against Costa Rica on February 22 and 25 in San Jose. (Reporting from Ian Ransom, Melbourne; Editing and retouching by Nicholas Yong).

(source: Reuters)