New Zealand FA appoint new National team manager!

The New Zealand FA have appointed a new manager following the recent sacking of Ricky Herbert. Herbert guided the 'All whites' to the World Cup Finals to be held in South Africa later this year, but was sacked after 'an incident' with team mascot Terry the Sheep!.

The new boss Murray Hewitt (pictured above signing his contract), has joined the NZFA from his previous job as Deputy Attache at the New Zealand consulates office in New York. After Herbert he is the next most experienced football brain in New Zealand, having coached at a summer camp to raise extra cash during his stay in America.

Hewitt has already stamped his authority on the squad by introducing 'roll calls' at team meetings every day, by banning all team members from talking to Australians and by organising the band he manages in New York to record the New Zealand football song for the World Cup, tentatively titled 'Who wants to rock the football party?'

Hewitt speaking to Sports In Shorts said ''Wow,..... yes... really pleased to be the new football manager of the team, I organised a rugby tour once so this should be easy....looking forward to taking the guys to Africa.....wow, Africa.....safari's...imagine that!?!''.

Our reporter then asked who he felt was the best player in the squad. Hewitt replied '' Wow, they all seem so good?!?...ummm, let's see...... the man with the gloves who can catch things seems friendly...I didn't catch his name!?!''.

He was then asked what formation his team would be playing? ''I think we'll be going in with the 11 players on the grass with the glove man looking after the net area, then keep some on the side for emergencies!!'' Hewitt said positively.

New Zealand's odds of winning the tournament have increased from 500-1 to 2500 to 1.