John Herdman

During his time in New Zealand, Herdman played for NRFL Division 2 club Hibiscus Coast.

Early career

Herdman began coaching football at a young age in England, while he was a student and part-time university lecturer at Northumbria University. He was a development coach for Sunderland's youth academy until 2001, when he moved to New Zealand.

New Zealand women's national team

Herdman arrived in New Zealand and joined the national association football programme in 2003, initially acting as Coach Education Manager and later as the Director of Football Development. Herdman was head coach for the New Zealand women's national team from 2006 to 2011. Working with the national women's teams, he led the under-20 squad to the FIFA World Championship in 2006, the federation's first-ever youth tournament, and the later renamed U-20 World Cup in 2010, securing its first-ever youth World Cup victory. He also guided the senior squad to the FIFA World Cup in 2007 and 2011 as well as the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. For his contributions, he was recognized as New Zealand Football Coach of the Year (2006, 2008) and New Zealand Football Team of the Year (2008).

Canada women's national team

Herdman took over for the Canada women's national team in 2011 from Carolina Morace after Canada finished last in their 2011 World Cup group. The Canada women's team were in disarray. Some veteran players were contemplating early retirements until Herdman arrived. Shortly after, he led them to a gold medal finish at the 2011 Pan American Games in Mexico. He…

Herdman is originally from Consett, County Durham, England. Herdman is married to his childhood sweetheart, Clare, and has two children: Lilly and Jay. The latter plays for Bali United, as well as the New Zealand U23 team.

Herdman is widely regarded as a central figure in the transformation of Canadian soccer in the 2010s and early 2020s. During his tenure with both the women's and men's national teams, Herdman focused on motivating his teams, encouraging individual players and emphasizing team unity and spirit, with a belief in the ability to succeed. In a retrospective on his tenure, the Canadian Olympic Committee noted that "John Herdman defined a decade in Canadian soccer", highlighting his role in bringing Canada back to global competition through "his ability to cultivate belief, resilience, and national pride". Following Canada's third-place finish at the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, Thierry Henry credited Herdman with Canada's rise. In post game analysis on CBS Sports, Henry said: "This is not the Canadian Team of ten years ago. You are now favorites. Stop saying to everybody that you are little Canada. That team is good, you should perform. Stop hiding behind the fact you are little Canada – you are not little. And thanks to John Herdman. He put that team together." Writing in The Athletic, journalist Joshua Kloke said: "Herdman's tactics and motivational methods have left a mark on Canadian soccer's DNA. His leadership laid the groundwork for Canada's return to the World Cup stage, but also helped redefine what's possible for Canadian football going forward." Herdman has also been instrumental in supporting the development of former female players into coaches and sports…