Ex-US World Cup captain in talks with Azkals

MANILA, Philippines — A world Cup veteran who has played 81 times for the United States and has vast experience playing in the German Bundesliga is also being considered as the next coach of the Philippine Azkals.

Thomas Dooley, 52, who skippered the Americans in the 1998 World Cup in France, is expected to meet with national team manager Dan Palami and Philippine Football Federation general secretary Ed Gastanes this week in the US over the possibility of his hiring for the Azkals job.

The PFF, which let go of German coach Michael Weiss last week, is in a race against time to hire a replacement with the Azkals’ next tournament, the AFC Challenge Cup in the Maldives, slated May 19 to 30.

Palami said the next coach will be named before the end of the month.

Sources earlier said Serbian coach Radjko Avramovic, who steered Singapore to three Southeast Asian football championship titles, is also being considered.

Dooley, a defender, was born to a German mother and an American father.

“He has experience and has played at a high level,” said Palami of Dooley, who was named US Player of the Year in 1993.

“We look forward to hearing his thoughts on the (Azkals) job.”

Dooley’s most recent coaching experience was in August 2011, when he was called up to be part of the US national team’s staff for the match against Mexico.

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