Dooley flies in to ink PFF mentorship with Azkals

MANILA, Philippines — World Cup veteran Thomas Dooley, the former United States skipper, is arriving in Manila Thursday to finalize a deal with the Philippine Football Federation that will see him handle the national team in its most important tournament yet.

The 52-year-old Dooley, who has yet to coach a national team, is the personal choice of Azkals manager Dan Palami who, along with PFF general secretary Ed Gastanes interviewed the American two weeks ago in Los Angeles.

If an agreement is reached Thursday, Dooley is expected to be unveiled by the PFF in a press conference on Friday.

“It is  an honor for me and I’m humbled to coach the national team,” Dooley said.

Although he has yet to sign a deal with the PFF, Dooley is already aware of the task at hand when he takes over the job, replacing Michael Weiss.

“(The goal) is winning the AFC Challenge Cup and qualify for the Asian Cup,” Dooley said in an e-mail to the Inquirer. “It is a difficult challenge. I love it and the players will do too.”

The Azkals will vie for the lone AFC Asian Cup slot via the eight-nation Challenge Cup in the Maldives in May.

Having played 81 times for the United States and also a winner of the Uefa Cup with German side Schalke, Dooley said his experience will come in handy coaching the Azkals.

“I know how it feels when you sit in the locker-room, how you feel and think as a player before the game and after, when you have success or difficult times on the field,” said Dooley.

Dooley, a defender, sees the Azkals playing a more attack-oriented side and being more composed in possession.

“I love to play football—an attractive, offensive minded, attacking game with quick combinations,” he said.

“We will try to play fast and compact and varying game with an organized defense at all times.”

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