Former Football Ferns coach Andreas Heraf criticizes New Zealand culture and media

Former Football Ferns coach Andreas Heraf has accused New Zealand media of comparing him to Adolf Hitler.

Speaking to Sky Sports Austria, the 50-year-old also spoke of a culture of discrimination against foreigners among New Zealanders.

Heraf was at the center of controversy earlier this year, when national team players accused their coach of bullying and intimidation.

The Austrian, who was also New Zealand’s director of football, came under heavy criticism for his defensive tactics in a 3-1 friendly loss to Japan in June.

Following an investigation, Heraf resigned from both positions in July and was quickly followed by CEO Andy Martin.

“From the start, resistance against foreigners was felt across the country,” Heraf said.

“I can prove it and that’s the reason I left the country.

“The newspapers which massively attacked me compared me to Adolf Hitler, the Austrian dictator.”

Heraf has denied intentionally intimidating members of the Ferns team, attacking New Zealand football’s loser mentality.

“I have a pure heart, a clear conscience,” Heraf said. “A lot of things happened in New Zealand that were a meeting of different cultures.

“For example, participation is capitalized and performance is almost non-existent.

“For example, the ladies have participated in four world championships and have never won a match.

“On the other hand, there is this incredible belief and will of the whole population that you can win anything. I explained to the team and the people that you cannot win five or six games in three weeks, if you’ve never won before.

“It was difficult to understand this culture.

The former Austria international pointed out that other ongoing investigations into New Zealand sport prove that player power has become a common trend in the country.

Hockey, cycling, netball and rowing have all been the subject of recent controversies regarding head coaches and issues with their players or athletes.

“This is also the problem New Zealand has for me,” Heraf noted. “There is the term ‘player-led’ – player-led.

“I was a little surprised that it is common for athletes to want or have a say in different things.

“It was also the case for me in terms of tactics, the constitution of the coaching team, the design of training.

“There was a message that the association had received the message from the players’ union, that there was discontent and that the coach and athletic director of the national team should not be allowed to take legal action. .

“I was surprised no one spoke to me. I didn’t have a chance to express my opinion.

“I am here today after two and a half months, where I have the opportunity to say something.”

Newshub.