REY JOBLE, GMANews.TV
The new year is just 10 days old and the Philippine Football Federation wants a new direction for the Pinoy Azkals football team in 2011.
That new direction is expected to come from the head coach, which is why the PFF made a swift and decisive move by hiring a new German mentor in Hans Michael Weiss. He will replace English bench tactician Simon McMenemy, whose contract wasn’t renewed.
Newly-installed PFF president Nonong Araneta made the confirmation that Weiss is now the official head coach of the Azkals. He will arrive in the country on Jan. 16. The new head of the federation added that the McMenemy was replaced because he has no B license, which is a requirement to coach in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup.
“Hindi siya (McMenemy) qualified to coach," said Araneta in a telephone interview. “That’s why we’re bringing in a new coach in Weiss. He has wide experience coaching football, as he has coached in China, Japan and countries in Africa."
The contract of McMenemy, who was hired to coach the Azkals on an interim basis three weeks prior to the start of the AFF Suzuki Cup, ended at the end of November, according to Azkals team manager Dan Palami.
“I extended his contract until the end of December. I was the one who was paying him," Palami told GMANews.TV. “But I already asked him before to work on his license."
When McMenemy couldn’t obtain his Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) coaching permit, and his contract ended at the end of 2010, Palami looked at several candidates for the coaching job, both foreign and local coaches.
It didn’t take long for him to tap Weiss' services.
Palami said that Philippine football will get a lift with the acquisition of the German mentor.
“It’s a total package. A lot of people think it’s the money involved which is the most important in getting the assistance, but it will be used via guided spending. We will be provided free training camps, all-expense paid. Coaches and referees will also be sent there for special courses and clinics ,while specialized trainers will also visit here to help our goalkeepers," added Palami.
McMenemy and the Azkals management parted ways bitterly, with the former coach bashing the team’s decision to replace him.
The English coach posted on his Twitter account that he was disrespected.
“I felt totally disrespected. No call, e-mail, text. Nothing. I have been told by a friend who watched it on TV. This is not the right way to treat people," said McMenemy on his Twitter account.
But Palami defended the decision, saying that when McMenemy tweeted, there was no formal decision yet regarding the coaching status.
“He should have confirmed it first with me. He posted comments on his Twitter account, so I just reacted to them," Palami explained.
Firing of Azkals coach draws negative impact, says FIFA exec
The firing of McMenemy as coach of the Azkals drew negative impact on the Azkals, according to former Philippine Olympic Committee and now International Football Federation (FIFA) executive Cristy Ramos.
“The timing is very bad," said Ramos. “In the first place, why would you hire somebody who has no Group B license, which is a requirement for the AFC Challenge Cup? I would presume the PFF, then under the leadership of Mari Martinez, was thinking na hanggang AFF Suzuki Cup na lang tayo because sa Suzuki Cup, hindi kailangan na may Group B license ang coach. They didn’t take full consideration about the future of Philippine football, and to me, that’s ignorance."
A former POC chief who is now serving in the organizing committee of the under-17 and under-20 Women’s World Cup, the former presidential daughter believes that having a new coach will somehow affect the Azkals’ preparation in the AFF Challenge Cup.
“Between now and February 9, I think the adjustment period will play a big role in the success of the Azkals," said Ramos. “I believe McMenemy had a good relationship with the players, especially with the success they had in the Suzuki Cup. How you try to establish a good relationship with your players at that shorter period of time is a big question."
Ramos, also a member of the AFC women’s committee and a match commissioner for men’s and women’s tournaments, gave a piece of her mind on how the PFF should have handled the situation dealing with McMenemy.
“Like the old saying, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. They should have made a compromise by retaining his services, say like retaining McMenemy’s services as a member of the coaching staff or as an assistant coach," said Ramos. “If I were them, I would have explored other possibilities. I don’t think he will take it bad because he will still be a part of the team, and McMenemy’s presence will leave a positive effect on the team."
But Palami believes there’s still enough time for the Azkals and the new coach to establish chemistry.
“We’ve done that before, so there’s no reason why we cannot do it again," added Palami. “We were able to succeed with a new coach preparing our squad three weeks before the competition, so I think it’s doable."
McMenemy was a substitute coach for Des Bulpin, who handled the squad for seven months.
Palami said people were giving a lot of credit to McMenemy, and the Azkals team manager believes he deserves recognition.
But the Azkals’ financer gave more importance to the things done by the local coaches, part of the reason why he cannot sacrifice the Filipino mentors, who have been training the players for quite a long time.
“I don’t think retaining McMenemy as a member of the coaching staff when there’s a head coach calling the shots would be a good idea. There will be clashes of ideas. And I don’t want to sacrifice my local coaches. They have done so much for the success of this team," said Palami. - KY, GMANews.TV
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