Football: Tom Sermanni to stand down as Football Ferns coach after Tokyo Olympics

Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni will leave his post in charge of New Zealand's women's side after the Tokyo Olympics.

Sermanni, 66, has been with the Football Ferns since 2018 and has coached New Zealand to victories over the likes of England and Norway.

The experienced coach initially signed on a nine-month contract, but stayed with the Football Ferns for two-and-a-half years, replacing Andreas Heraf at the helm of the New Zealand women's side.

With the Football Ferns drawn to face the likes of USA and Australia - two of Sermanni's former teams - and Sweden at this year's Olympics in Tokyo, Sermanni will vacate his post after the Games have finished.

"It has been an honour to coach the team and to get to know the fantastic group that make up the Ferns squad," Sermanni says.

"I have very much enjoyed my time with the team but appreciate New Zealand Football's need to go to market to find a Head Coach for the long-term. 

"We now go to Tokyo 100 percent focused on performing to our absolute best as we test ourselves against some of the top sides in the world."

New Zealand Football will look to appoint a new coach as soon as possible, to ensure the Football Ferns the ideal build-up to the 2023 World Cup, co-hosted between New Zealand and Australia.