Still unsigned, Dooley ready for Azkals job

Azkals. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Thomas Dooley, a veteran of two World Cup tournaments who has played 81 times for the United States but has yet to handle a national team, is expected to be named coach of the Philippine Azkals for their most important tournament yet.

A player whose checkered career saw him elevated to the US Soccer Hall of Fame, Dooley replaces German Michael Weiss, who was let go early last month.

But the PFF clarified last night that the former US international has yet to sign a deal with the federation.

“We have not appointed any coach yet,” said PFF general secretary Ed Gastanes.

As far as Dooley is concerned, though, he’s already got the job.

“I can’t wait to be there,” Dooley said in an e-mail to the Inquirer.

The 52-year-old Dooley, who is currently part of the US Under-20 team coaching staff and was also an assistant to US senior side coach Jurgen Klinsmann in 2011, met with team manager Dan Palami and Gastanes in Los Angeles last week.

The Azkals’ job, however, is his first major foray in coaching at the international level. Dooley is expected to arrive in Manila next week to finalize the deal and buckle down to work with the AFC Challenge Cup just four months away.

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First posted 6:21 pm | Friday, January 31st, 2014