The new head coach of the Canadian women’s national team was not setting himself up for any excuses as he was introduced to the media Thursday.
“This is a massive country and a wonderful opportunity,” former New Zealand women’s coach John Herdman said via telephone. “It’s a dream job.”
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Herdman said he left his post in New Zealand because he was looking for new challenges and that the Canadian job was, in his mind, the best opportunity available in women’s soccer right now. Notably, New Zealand just cancelled a North American tour, citing financial concerns. Several times in the press conference Herdman stressed that the CSA was “fully committed to supporting” the program.
“I have a big smile on my face,” he said about the prospect of leading Canada as it prepares to host the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “It’s a chance to make people’s dreams come true.”
Herdman will start immediately. He will be on the bench for this fall’s exhibition matches against the United States. He said that it was too soon to truly evaluate the players in his pool, but that he would be using this fall’s games as an evaluation tool. January’s Olympic qualifiers offer a good “medium term” goal for the program to work towards. Herdman said that he is confident that Canada can qualify for its second straight Olympics and stressed how important getting to London is to 2015 preparations.
Under Morace, the team based itself in Europe for the majority of its preparation. Herdman said he is committed to having the women’s based in Canada far more moving forward.
“It’s important for the grassroots to see their heroes play,” he said.
The CSA confirmed that it will be making another hire to fill the still vacant u-20 head coaching position. Departed coach Carolina Morace previously held both positions. She failed to qualify for the 2010 u-20 World Cup in Germany. Canada is hosting the 2014 tournament. The 2012 event will be help in Uzbekistan, August 18 to Sept. 8. CONCACAF has yet to announce the location or dates for the regional qualifying procedure.