OUT to “explore other options,” Australian coach Alen Stajcic and his deputy, Nahuel Arrarte, will no longer be at the helm of the Filipinas after their campaign in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, national women’s football team manager Jeff Cheng announced yesterday.
Cheng announced that the contracts of both coaches had expired, and this was posted on the Philippine Football Federation website two days after the Filipinas exited Group A competition with a 0-6 loss to Norway at Eden Park.
“Coach Alen and coach Naz (Arrarte’s nickname) have expressed their deepest gratitude for the opportunity and support they have received from the Philippine football community,” Cheng said in a statement.
He also quoted a message from the Australian mentor that said: “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.
“Throughout nearly 20 months we went on a journey together as a team from outsiders in Southeast Asia to winning a match at a World Cup.
“There are too many highs to reflect on… semifinal 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 (1-0) 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.
“On behalf of Coach Nahuel and myself, we would like to thank all the Coaching staff for your hard work, dedication and commitment.
“To the players, I can only say, you were courageous, passionate, disciplined and loyal to the Team, the Flag and the Country. Your sacrifices should be long remembered by all Philippine Sports fans. To give hope and inspiration is the greatest of all achievements.
“I wish everyone a great future and look forward to following the next chapters in the story.”
“We wish Coach Alen and Coach Naz the best of luck in their next football adventure, and we will forever be grateful to them for changing the landscape of Philippine football forever,” Cheng said.
“They have 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,” he added.
“To Coach Alen and Coach Naz, it was an honor working with you. Win, lose or draw, the entirety of our experience with you will be nothing but a happy memory for all of us. We will never forget you and we hope that you will never forget us too,” he said. “Laban, Filipinas!”
PFF president Mariano Araneta and general secretary Atty. Ed Gastanes also expressed their gratitude to Stajcic.
“Coach Alen Stajcic’s appointment as Philippine Women’s National Team head coach brought women’s football in the Philippines to new heights and hope,” Araneta said.
“Under his tutelage, the Filipinas dared to break the glass ceiling, beginning with their qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, clinching the country’s first bronze medal in the SEA Games, winning the AFF Women’s Championship, facing higher-ranked opposition, and most importantly leading the Philippines to its first World Cup appearance and first World Cup win against hosts New Zealand,” he recounted.
“Indeed, Coach Alen showed full dedication to hone the Filipinas into a fighting team. He will long be remembered as the coach who trained and dared the team to win at any international competition. Maraming salamat, Coach Alen,” he noted.
“The federation and the Philippine Women’s National Team are pleased to have Coach Alen Stajcic as mentor, coach, and trainer of the team,” Gastanes said.
‘He came at a time when opportunities beckoned and he delivered, showing that the Filipinas has the potential to do well in international competitions,” he added.
