BANGKOK, Thailand – A day before the 2012 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup, Filipino fans are looking forward to what could be the start of the country’s emergence as a dominant football nation in the region.
But all eyes will also be on Philippine national men’s football coach Hans Michael Weiss, whose stint with the Azkals may depend on their performance in the tournament, as his contract with the team expires shortly after the Suzuki Cup.
Whether his stay with the team will be extended or not, Weiss said he is ready for whatever the management decides.
“I’m prepared for either way,” Weiss said. “I have requests from other clubs, federations so I’m not worried too much.”
However, Weiss believes that the country should create a long-term program to develop football further.
“If you think globally, clubs and also the federations are successful to keep their managers for a longer time,” Weiss said. “If the evaluation of Michael Weiss is a good one, and for my point of view, it can only be good, they should think serious if they want to make a change or not.”
Weiss was hired shortly after the Azkals’ Cinderella run to the semifinals of the Suzuki Cup two years ago. Since then, they have had unprecedented success, recruiting foreign-born players of Filipino lineage and gaining more international experience.
The German coach said that although his current contract is ending, his job is still to set in motion plans for the future of Philippine football for the future.
Weiss said plans are afoot to increase international assistance to the Philippines, as the German Football Association will assign a technical consultant for the country’s development programs.
“Regardless of my position, whether my contract will be renewed or not, we will see. I have to plan for Philippine football for the next three to five years,” he said.
He admits that the Azkals’ performance in the regional tournament could decide whether he is retained, contends that the Suzuki Cup should not be the only basis for the decision on whether the Philippines should retain him as coach.
“People have to make their own evaluation of what has been done for the past years. I know outside the Philippines, wherever I go, people say, ‘What have you done? Are you a magic man?’” Weiss said.
“If we win it or lose it, it’s not the end of the world. It’s a continuous process. (But) for me, the Suzuki Cup is already over in my plans.
“If you bring in a new coach, and he wants to make his style, and has a different idea, that’s not my decision.”
via InterAktv, Karl Decena
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