PSC lets PFF tap Azkals mentor

MANILA, Philippines –  A foreign football coach, one that’s both good and experienced, doesn’t come cheap.

It’s for this reason why the Philippine Sports Commission, the government’s funding arm in sports, is leaving it all up to the Philippine Football Federation to provide for its own coach.

“If a good foreign coach would cost us $1,500 a week, and that’s $6,000 a month (roughly P258,000), then we cannot afford it,” PSC chairman Richie Garcia told The STAR yesterday.

“Besides, the PFF gets subsidized by FIFA (the world’s governing body in football) so they are able to sustain themselves,” said Garcia, adding that the PSC helps the PFF through venues and allowances and salaries for its players and local coaches.

Dan Palami, a 40-year-old Filipino businessman, is the Azkals’ team manager, and has provided the extra funding for the team. He is currently in Germany working for a grant program for the Azkals from the German Football Association.

Palami is also looking at a German coach, Karsten Neitzel, an assistant coach with the Urawa Reds in the Japanese League, as well as Filipino-German players like Mark Drinkuth, 19, Manny Ott, 18, and Stephen Shrock, 24.

The core of the Philippine team is based in England, including goalie Neil Etherridge, playing for Fulham, Chris Greatwich, Jason de Jong and Rob Gier.

Simon McMenemy, the 33-year-old coach who steered the Philippine team to a historic top four finish in the recent Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup, has gone home to England.

His contract with the PFF, one that probably costs $1,500 a week, has expired.

McMenemy has received a couple of offers to coach other Asean countries but wants to return with the Azkals in their coming Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup tie against Mongolia.

Mariano Araneta, the PFF president, batted for the hosting of both matches against Mongolia at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on Feb. 9 and 12.

But he said Mongolia did not want to lose the opportunity to host the second match, and since it’s winter time there, the second leg of the tie will be played March 15 instead.

“The Mongolians are looking forward and excited to see the Azkals. So, Mongolia wants to play the second match in their country,” said Areneta in a text message from Doha, Qatar.