MANILA, Philippines -- The mentor who led the Philippine men's football team to the semifinals of the 2010 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup will no longer coach the Filipino booters this year.
Speaking to ANC on Saturday, Azkals team manager Dan Palami said British Coach Simon McMenemy's contract expired last December 31.
“We have had discussion with Simon before, especially as he had yet to get his license for the different tournaments that we're going to participate in this coming year,”
The certificate Palami was referring to is the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) coaching permit.
McMenemy feels ‘disrespected’
However, McMenemy claimed that he was not informed about his replacement as Azkals team coach.
In his tweet, the British coach lambasted the team management's lack of effort to communicate the decision directly to him.
"Feels totally disrespected. No call, email, text, nothing. Been told by a friend who watched it on TV, this is not how to treat people,” he said in the microblog.
German assistance
Azkals team manager Palami explained during the ANC interview that an offer from the German football federation triggered the decision to replace McMenemy.
“While he (McMenemy) is doing that (acquiring the UEFA certificate), the German federation came in and offered their assistance… included in the package would be a high-level German coach that they would want the Philippines to take,” said the Azkals team manager.
Among those being strongly considered to replace McMenemy is German football coach Hans Michael Weiss.
Palami added that the German federation made the offer after seeing the Azkals’ performance in the recent Suzuki Cup.
“They're willing to coach the Azkals in their training camps in Germany and they're willing to do the scouting for potential players for the national team all over Europe. And they're doing it for free. They are willing to send over the team to a European camp so that we could strengthen further our chances,” he said.
Palami also said that several players from Denmark and Germany are also interested to play for the Philippine team.
“There are several players from the first division in Denmark, for example, we have Dennis Cagara, Jerry Lucena. They also have a second division player in Germany, Stephan Schrock who is coming in,” said Palami.
The Azkals’ team manager said that the rest of the players who are not playing in the first and second division in Europe will have to comply with the team policy requiring players to try out in the Philippines.
Source : ABS CBN News
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If the license issue is the main factor then we have no choice. Although I feel sick for Mcmenemy as he represented the change in tactics, development and confidence of the Azkals. I dont care what those paid hacks who have some internal agendas say about Simon reaping the benefits of past coaches and not deserving the acolades. The coach is the face of the team. The Suzuki cup success is i would say 51% due to him and 49% the players. I think he should have been retained in some sort of support capacity or at least offered a position. That would have shown we have some class. The way he was treated without even given due notice doesnt bode well. You have to treat people with respect especially guys like Simon who did much to get all these fil foreigners knocking on our door. Indonesia were definitely beatable using his tactics. Palami, you can still correct this situation by making a phone call. Dont act too high and mighty. youve always been humble and unassuming..close the relationship the right way..Simon deserves at least that.
ReplyDeleteMcMenemy was by far the youngest and most inexperienced of all the coaches the Azkals ever had, yet he has arguably contributed the most to Philippine football. Ironic, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI, along with countless others, do hope that he is kept by the PFF for some position.
After how Simon was stabbed in the back like that, do you really think that he'd want to have anything to do with Philippine Football or even the Philippines in general? The decision has been made and the damage done so I hope once Simon gets his license he moves on to a team that treats him better. That would be quite ironic though if that team turns out to be a rival one like Vietnam who reportedly asked about his services.
ReplyDeleteI just read in the Cebu football network blog:
ReplyDelete"Yesterday, Dan said he has also talked with Coach McMenemy, who might still have a role to play in Philippine football."
As someone who has grown attached to the Azkals, he may take it. But as a professional COACH, he may choose to find another coaching job.
Like Rick Olivares (who personally knows Simon) said, Simon is too much of a gentleman to hold a grudge. So...who knows?