New Zealand Football’s search fair for allcomers

Football has employed the services of an independent leadership consultancy to ensure its search for a new chief executive is transparent.

Applications for the job closed on Thursday with Mark Aspden holding the fort on an interim basis.

Grant McKavanagh resigned suddenly in July and chairman Frank van Hattum said the board was in no rush to find a permanent replacement.

“Mark’s doing a great job and we’re expecting to interview in the first week of October,” van Hattum said.

“If someone’s ready to go straight away then that’s fine but if they have to give notice for three months – and that’s the calibre of people we’re talking about – then you have to wait. We just want to get the right person for the next phase of our battle and whatever time it takes it’ll take.”

Aspden has previously said he was enjoying the job and would consider applying but did not want to comment yesterday.

NZF’s high performance manager Fred de Jong has also been linked with the position and has previously said he was pondering whether to apply.

He did not return calls yesterday.

Van Hattum said that NZF had employed Kerridge & Partners to sift through the applications and draw up a shortlist.

The board would then conduct interviews and select its preferred candidate.

“One of the reasons we do that is to make sure there’s total transparency so that everyone’s seen to have a fair go,” van Hattum said.

“So that’s a proper process, with no personalities involved with any individuals on any board or within the game. So there’s no accusations about the chair or the board or the staff in the office, that we’re influencing the decision.”

De Jong would not reveal how many people had applied but said the calibre of CV’s was high.

“We’re very satisfied, there’s been a huge response both in New Zealand and offshore and a vast array of talent and skills.”