The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) also appointed Miguel "Mico" Gutierrez as the new team manager after Freddy Gonzalez decided to step down from the role.
The Philippine Men’s National Football Team has a new man in charge anew.
Carles Cuadrat stepped in as the new captain of the ship following Albert Capellas’ shocking departure last month.
[ALSO READ: Albert Capellas leaves Philippine men’s football coaching post ahead of key match vs Tajikistan]
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) made the announcement on Wednesday, July 23.
In a statement, PFF president John Gutierrez highlighted Cuadrat’s “deep tactical understanding,” along with his “history of building winning teams and developing players,” noting that these qualities align perfectly with the team’s vision for the future.
“We are confident that under his guidance, our national team will achieve new milestones and ignite even greater passion for football across the country,” Gutierrez added.
Cuadrat is already a familiar face to the team, having served as assistant coach after Capellas left in May. He also briefly stepped in as interim head coach for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers match against Tajikistan where the Philippines secured a 2-2 draw.
[ALSO READ: Bjorn Kristensen brace helps Philippines salvage point vs Tajikistan in Asian Cup qualifiers]
The 56-year-old’s extensive career includes a successful stint as head coach of Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), where he led the team to a historic ISL Championship in 2019 and the Indian Super Cup in 2018.
Alongside Cuadrat’s appointment, Miguel "Mico" Gutierrez was named the team’s new manager as Freddy Gonzalez, who stepped down from the position last month.
Gutierrez, a former captain of the University of the Philippines Men's Football Team, served as the manager of the U-16 boys team that won the recently concluded Lion City Cup.
"We thank Mico for stepping into this vital role as manager of the Philippine Men’s National Team. With his expertise in both football and business management, we are confident that he will help drive the team forward as we continue to make strides on the international stage," Gutierrez said.
After three rounds of play, the Philippines is leading second-placed Tajikistan based on a superior goal difference, with both teams earning four points.
The Philippines will next face Timor Leste in October, as only the top team from each group will advance to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.