By James Goyder
Former Philippines manager Simon McMenemy is being linked with a return to Asian football as manager of Vietnam.
The 33 year-old Englishman made a big impression at the AFF Suzuki Cup last December when he masterminded the Philippines' shock 2-0 victory over reigning champions Vietnam, in one of the greatest upsets of the year.
Despite the Philippines' unprecedented success McMenemy lost his job due to some political manouvering and is currently out of work and considering a number of offers from around the world.
However a return to international management would appeal and he could be handed that opportunity after Vietnam manager Henrique Calisto left his post today. The experienced Portugese tactician is reportedly in advanced talks with Thai Premier League champions Muangthong United.
McMenemy’s name is believed to top the list of candidates to replace him after making a big impression on the Vietnamese FA at last year’s AFF Suzuki Cup.
Unheard of until his surprise appointment as manager of the Philippines, McMenemy made a name for himself by taking the team to the semi-finals of that tournament courtesy of draws with Singapore and Myanmar and the win over Vietnam.
Calisto was so upset at his side’s losing in front of 40,000 of their own fans that he refused to shake hands with McMenemy after the game.
It appears that the Vietnamese FA do not share a similarly dim view of McMenemy and are ready to make the Englishman the next manager of their national team.
Calisto, meanwhile, is set to succeed Roberto Carlos de Carvalho at Muangthong United. The Brazilian was in the job for less than a month before being axed due to some disappointing pre-season results.
goal.com
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Calixto will be fired because as the defending champions they definitely under underperformed and the manager will eventually pay the price. On a personal note, Calixto is one of the worst sore losers ever.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am one of the people who felt McMenemy was not treated by the PFF with the respect he has earned, as long as he doesnt get that B license, he will not get that job with Vietnam.
I think Mcmenemy already acquired his licensed dba inackaso nya yun and to his disappointment ay tinanggal na pala cya kc multi-million yun inoffer ng mga Aleman sa PFF but to have kelangan mag-install ng isang German coach, so bad
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