PFF offers coach Weiss six-month extension

THE PHILIPPINE Football Federation has offered men’s national team coach Michael Weiss a six-month contract extension.

PFF general secretary Edwin Gastanes conveyed the offer to Weiss in a meeting Saturday, although the German coach who steered the Azkals to the semifinals of both the AFC Challenge Cup and the AFF Suzuki Cup last year, has asked for more time to consider the offer.

Weiss’ current two-year contract won’t expire until Jan. 16, according to PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.

The offer meant that the PH team’s performance in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers in Manila in March could be make-or-break for the German, who has set his sights on steering the Azkals to the AFC Cup in Australia in 2015.

Under Weiss’ tutelage, the Azkals have won 16 matches, drawn 11 and lost 10.

Meanwhile, the national side is hoping to tap Fil-Spanish striker Javier Patino for the AFC Challenge Cup.

Azkals manager Dan Palami said Patino, who plays for Cordoba in the Spanish second division, “plays at a high level.”

“With his experience and quality, he will be an asset to the team,” Palami said.