Macca’s reign as Philippines coach ends

SIMON McMenemy’s run as international coach of the Philippines is over.


The popular former Worthing Football Club assistant manager has been replaced by German Michael Weiss after the Philippines Football Federation appointed a new president, although McMenemy only found out he had been sacked on Twitter.

Some reports suggested McMenemy had been replaced because he did not hold a UEFA B licence, which is a regulation set by the regional governing body, the AFC, but McMenemy, 33, said: “I’d been speaking to the AFC, who were prepared to help me but there was a lot going on behind the scenes in the Philippines.

“There were two presidents of the Philippines Football Federation while we were in the Suzuki Cup and the new president, approved by FIFA, got appointed soon afterwards and the German Federation offered finance, which they do with a lot of other countries, to help develop the team but, in return, they wanted their own coach.

“It’s unfortunate but is one of those things. It’s a sore one to take as it got leaked on Twitter.

“The president, who was at a wedding, ended up having to do a television interview over the phone to explain what had happened, although that was still done before he told me.

“I’m frustrated because it feels like a job half done but if you can’t handle decisions like this, you shouldn’t be in the industry. It’s just part and parcel of football.”

McMenemy will not be short of offers for the future, after raising the profile of football significantly in the Philippines, and said: “I’m waiting for the Philippines Football Federation to call me.

“They’ve said they don’t want to lose me and are putting together something for me. I could be offered the head coach of the under-23 Philippines role, which is an offer I’m willing to listen to.

“I’ve also got lots of other offers on the table of club management in South East Asia, so they’ll be talking to my agent and we’ll wait and see.”

Source : Shoreham Herald