Aussie soccer coach Alen Stajcic has walked away from the Philippines after their Women’s World Cup exit to “explore other options”.
Stajcic was the primary Australian born coach to win a knockout recreation at a World Cup with the Matildas in 2015 however was unceremoniously sacked in 2019.
Proving it was no fluke, Stajcic replicated the success with the Philippines, incomes the nation its first World Cup win in males’s or girls’s occasions with a 1-0 win over co-hosts New Zealand final week.
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But after the facet was bundled out of the Women’s World Cup in a 6-0 thrashing by the hands of Norway, Stajcic and assistant coach Nahuel Arrarte, whose contracts expired on the finish of the Philippines’ World Cup marketing campaign, requested to discover different choices reasonably than search a renewal of the deal.
The 49-year-old Stajcic had been the helm of the Philippines since October 2021 and paid tribute to the unimaginable journey the nation has been on previously 20 months.
“I would first and foremost like to express my gratitude to Sir Jeff for giving us the opportunity and entrusting us with the keys to the National Team,” Stajcic’s assertion learn.
“Throughout nearly 20 months we went on a journey together as a Team from outsiders in South-East Asia to winning a match at a World Cup.
“There are too many highs to reflect on …
— semi final of AFC Asian Cup
— 1st ever competitive bronze medal at SEA Games
— Winning the AFF in Manila
— Scoring our 1st goal and beating European opposition
— Record high FIFA rankings time after time
… all of which were special and memorable and brought much deserved attention to the Team.
“But without question, the two best experiences of my coaching career thus far were the last two World Cup matches.
“Beating New Zealand on home soil and scoring our first World Cup goal and getting our first win was the things that dreams are made of.
“And despite the scoreline, the last match against Norway, where 34,000 patrons attended, with 30,000 singing for the Filipinas, brought shivers down our spine.
“It showed that Football does belong in the Philippines, and that legacy is something we are all proud of.”
Stajcic additionally paid tribute to his gamers, saying they have been “courageous, passionate, disciplined and loyal to the team, the flag and the country”, including the facet gave hope to the nation.
It comes following the Philippines’ deflating 6-0 loss to Norway on Sunday evening.
While there would little question be some disappointment concerning the end, Stajcic mentioned he couldn’t have requested any extra from the group regardless of the thumping loss.
“They are a classy team and they picked us apart,” Stajcic mentioned after the consequence. “We tried hard all the way to the end and I am proud of the heart and spirit of our team.
“They fought to the end. From that perspective it has been an amazing World Cup. The players have punched so far above their weight.”
Despite the result, the Philippines gamers nonetheless took the acclaim at full-time of their noisy assist, which made up nearly all of the gang of near 35,000.
“It felt like a home game,” Stajcic mentioned.
“To bring football to life in the Philippines has been a moment you can’t turn back from.
“These players have really left their mark and left a legacy for future generations. I can’t ask any more. They gave everything.”
Stajcic, who took over in 2021, referred to as on soccer authorities within the Philippines to extend funding within the grassroots recreation within the nation to offer them an opportunity of returning to future World Cups.
Stajcic has lengthy been lined as much as change Ruben Zadkovich at Perth Glory within the A-League, after the coach give up the membership in June regardless of one other yr on his contract.
FTBL reported in early July that the previous Central Coast Mariners mentor was being “teed up” for the position after the Philippines exit.
With AFP
Originally revealed as Ex-Matildas coach Alen Stajcic quits Philippines after historic win
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
