Allegations of a toxic culture in the New Zealand women’s football team have claimed the scalp of a second top official.

Football Ferns coach Andreas Heraf has announced his immediate resignation on Tuesday, a month after chief executive Andy Martin quit.

Austrian Heraf was also the technical director at New Zealand Football, leaving the organisation virtually rudderless.

Martin quit after heavy criticism over his appointment of Heraf and subsequent defence of the 50-year-old, who faced grievances from the country’s top women’s players.

Thirteen Football Ferns signed a letter declaring they would not play under Heraf, who they accused of bullying and creating a culture of fear.

Heraf was placed on special leave when an independent review into his methods was launched in June.

His only comments since were in an Austrian newspaper interview in which he accused the Football Ferns of “a conspiracy” and of being more interested in making fun videos than his sophisticated European coaching standards.

All Whites men’s coach Fritz Schmid was a joint Martin-Heraf appointment and may now find it difficult to retain his role if NZF opts for a complete cleanout of its top-end staff. No complaints or allegations have been levelled at him.

NZF president Deryck Shaw said Heraf had pledged to fully participate in the review into the culture of NZF.

Shaw will oversee the recruitment of a new technical director and women’s coach.