New Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni has the job of picking up the pieces, after a clash of cultures marred predecessor Andreas Heraf's troubled tenure.
The NZ women's coaching position has been under the spotlight, since Austrian import Heraf was bundled out of the job earlier this year, amid accusations of bullying.
"I know what the New Zealand culture is, what the psyche is, what their expectations are and how they want to play game," Sermanni told Newshub. "I think I've got a good background in that."
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He believes that understanding has come through his time coaching both the Australian and US women's teams.
Sermanni is joining the Ferns on a short-term contract that will hopefully guide them to next year's World Cup.
"Of all the highly qualified professional coaches around the world, we needed someone that understood the girls and understood NZ," said former Football Ferns player Kristy Hill. "We think we've found the right person for the job at this point in time."
The ultimate goal is to eventually appoint a New Zealander to the role.
"The big message from the players is to have the best person for the job," said Football NZ interim football manager Andy Boyens.
Sermanni, 64, has dealt with controversy himself - he was sacked from his US role, accused of being 'too casual'.
But he's adamant he won't fall down where Heraf failed.
"I've actually witnessed coaches come in who didn't know culture and didn't respect it, and tried to change things and they were ultimately unsuccessful."
He'll get to prove he's on the same page as the Football Ferns in three weeks, when the Oceania Nations Cup kicks off.
Newshub.
