Newly-minted PFF president John Gutierrez got candid with the resignation of long-time Azkals team manager Dan Palami.
Longtime Philippine Azkals team manager Dan Palami is giving the new administration of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) free rein and a fresh start for the year, and president John Gutierrez welcomes the courtesy.
At least three people who have been waiting in the wings to get their chance now have their window of opportunity, Gutierrez said.
Palami announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down after what was nearly 15 years of service to the Azkals.
"It’s time to give others a chance," he told One Sports' Paolo del Rosario.
Gutierrez welcomed the courtesy extended by Palami, who was present for the Azkals during their resurgence in the 2010s.
"Sir Dan more than anybody understands na nakakaawa naman ang new administration na would be restricted by the rules or the dealings of the past administration," he told del Rosario in a separate interview.
"We recognize especially what Sir Dan has done. We recognize the achievements of the past administraion. And we’re going to build on that," Gutierrez clarified.
"However, if we’re going to be limited to certain dealings and contracts, then it would be hard for us as a new administration to actually spread our wings."
Gutierrez said there was a shortlist of three individuals being considered for the job.
"They didn't just wake up yesterday and said, 'You know what, I wanna be manager of the national team.' They've been thinking about this for the longest time," he said.
"But since there was no opening, sir Dan was still there taking on all these challenges, it was impossible for these individuals to come in and help."
"But right now, because of the courtesy of Sir Dan, then of course these individuals waiting in the wings to get their chance, now they have their window."
Gutierrez did not reveal the names of the three people in the shortlist, but vowed to appoint a team manager "soon". He said the position requires not just a love for the game, a team manager should also have marketing knowledge and financial backing as well.
"Not to say that we're rushing things, but then again we have a very small window to be able to put things in place. The schedule for the year or the first quarter of it is not interrupted too much," he said.
There's a lot to do for the Azkals, which is ranked 140th as of December 2023. One of them is to get a win during the March window of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers second round.
The Azkals bowed to Vietnam, 2-0, and tied with Indonesia, 1-1, in November. In two months' time, the Philippine football squad will be facing Iraq in back-to-back matches.
The top two in Group F will get an Asian Cup berth and advance to the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers. The bottom two will compete in the qualifiers for the Asian Cup.
(With reports from Paolo del Rosario, One Sports)
(KA)