Players grateful as Alen Stajcic leaves Filipinas with solid foundation for the program

Former Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic–REUTERS/David Rowland

MANILA, Philippines — Katrina Guillou, Chandler McDaniel, and the rest of the Philippine women’s football team were nothing but grateful to coach Alen Stajcic for taking the Filipinas to greater heights before his departure.

Stajcic decided to take a different direction and parted ways with the Filipinas, whom he steered to historic achievements including a maiden Fifa Women’s World Cup appearance in his three-year stint.

Despite his exit and decision to join the Australian team Perth Glory in the A-League, the Filipinas will never forget all the learnings and contributions to their team that they ought to bring to their next major tournaments and the rest of their lives.

“I think just to have that belief in ourselves that we can compete with these top nations and I think he really brought that out for all of us. And now that we know how that feels like, we have confidence moving forward here on out,” said Guillou during their media availability on Thursday at Adidas Brand Center-Glorietta in Makati.

(L-R) Meryll Serrano, Ryley Bugay, Olivia McDaniel, and Jessika Cowart answer questions from the media during the Filipinas homecoming, on Thursday, Aug 3, 2023, at Adidas Brand Center in Makati City. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

McDaniel wished Stajcic all the best in his future endeavor and looked forward to continuing what he started when they compete in the Asian Games and the second round of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“I think he has done a lot with the program. And he said a lot for the team so I think we’re very grateful to have him and we wish him the best of luck wherever next he goes. But I think he has given us a lot of foundation to come off from and to continue with whomever the next coach would be,” she said.

Stajcic, who took over in late-2021, made an immediate impact as he helped the nationals qualify for the World Cup for the first time during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, led the team to its best finish in 37 years–a bronze medal–in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, and a historic AFF Women’s Championship title run at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Australian coach also trained the team in several overseas camps and friendlies in preparation for the World Cup.

The Philippine Football Federation has yet to announce Stajcic’s successor, who will be tasked continue the program of the seasoned tactician in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in September.