Mackinnon excited to be part of f’ball renaissance

By Mike T. Limpag

Thursday, September 29, 2011

NEWLY-HIRED Global FC coach Graeme Mackinnon is excited to return to the Philippines and resume a role in Philippine football, this time as head coach of one of the top clubs in the United Football League (UFL).


Mackinnon, who was hired by Dan Palami to take over Global FC, is expected to return next week to take charge of the team’s campaign when it defends its UFL CUp title.


“To start with, just to be part of the renaissance of Philippine football is exciting.


I only met Dan in February for the first time and yet I feel as though I have known him for the longest time. So it will be a pleasure to coach his team and an honor to be entrusted with coaching one of the top club teams in the Philippines,” Mackinnon said in a message to Sun.Star Cebu.


The Australian coach, who returned to Cebu last February to be enshrined in the Cebu Sports Hall of Fame for his M. Lhuillier football team’s achievement in the late’ 80s, also watched the Azkals beat Mongolia in Panaad last Feb. 9 and the PHL vs. Kuwait match in Manila.


It was hours before the Kuwaiti match when Palami offered him the job.


“I don’t know anything about the players so we will get to know each other slowly and hopefully we can make the necessary adjustments to some parts of their game (that) I believe need some attention,” said Mackinnon, who also helped groom the Carmen National School to the top of Philippine age group football.


Mackinnon, who just had knee surgery, will miss the Oct. 8 Global FC vs. Stallions match in the opening of the UFL Cup and will have his coaching debut on Oct. 16.


“Unfortunately I will miss the first game due to my still being here under doctor’s orders regarding the knee operation. I have an appointment on Oct. 7 so I should arrive in Manila sometime during the next week,” he said.


The Cebu team will be coached by his former star player and close friend Mario Ceniza, who will also have some of the former Carmen players in the team.

“Our long friendship will always be important to us both. So any time we are pitted against each other, we will do our best for our respective teams. Then we will go and enjoy a Coke and pizza as friends will always do whatever the result,” he said.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on September 29, 2011.