(Photo courtesy by Screengrab coachesvoice)
Bibitaw na si Alen Stajcic sa Philippine women’s national football team, kasama ang kanyang chief assistant na si Nahuel Arrarte.
Inihayag ni Jefferson Cheng, manager ng Filipinas, ngayong Martes, Agosto 1, na nag-expire na ang kontrata ng dalawang coach ng Philippine Women’s National Football Team sa pagtatapos ng FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
“They will not be renewed as both coaches have asked to explore other options,” ani Cheng.
Si Stajcic ang pumalit bilang coach ng Team Filipinas noong Oktubre 2021 at hanggang sinanay ang koponan upang makamit nito ang makasaysayang tagumpay sa World Cup 2023. Sa kanyang unang season, umabante Team Filipinas sa semifinals ng AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 bago natuloy sa FIBA World Cup.
Sinabi ni Stajcic na mayroong “too many highs to reflect on” kung saan tinukoy nito ang kanilang huling dalawang laban sa World Cup – ang makasaysayang pagkapanalo sa koponan ng New Zealand subalit nilampaso naman ng Team Norway sa kasunod na game.
“Beating New Zealand on home soil and scoring our first World Cup goal and getting our first win were the things that dreams are made of,” saad ni Stajcic ng nakapanayam si Cheng.
“They have they shown us what is possible with proper guidance, dedication and hard work, and their efforts have led to the greatest achievement in Philippine football thus far—a match won against the higher-ranked host nation at a World Cup. They will surely be our beloved heroes for decades to come,” paliwanag ni Cheng.
Tikom naman ang bibig ng mga taga-Team Filipinas kung sino ang papalit bilang susunod na head coach ng mga Pinay footballers.