John Herdman's debut as the head coach of the Canadian men's national soccer team now has a date.
Canada faces New Zealand in an international friendly on March 24 to be played at Pinatar Arena in Murcia, Spain. It will mark Herdman's first ever match in charge of a men's national team.
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Formerly in charge of the women's program, the 42-year-old Englishman took over the reins of the men's side from Octavio Zambrano in a controversial changing of the guard last month. Herdman, who led Canada's women to back-to-back Olympic bronze medals in 2012 and 2016, said he will use the March contest to begin his rebuild of a program that is currently ranked 95th in the world.
“This match is a great opportunity to be face to face with members of the men’s national team program and establish the foundations and relationships that will align Canada’s men’s national team program towards a goal of consistent winning performances,” Herdman said in a statement. “Outreach to the men’s national team player pool is part of our ongoing program review and I look forward to selecting a roster and preparing a team that will take on a very strong New Zealand side.”
It was in New Zealand where Herdman cut his teeth as a coach, earning his first international job as director of football and head coach of that nation's women's side from 2006-2011. He moved directly from that post to head up Canada's women's program following the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.
"New Zealand has and always will hold a special place in my heart as it gave me my first opportunity to work in international football as well as the chance to be part of leaving a special legacy with the Whole of Football Plan,” Herdman said. “I am pleased that I will have the chance to begin this new chapter for Canada against New Zealand.”