The multi-year dud
In March, it was announced with much aplomb that the Azkals had signed one Barae Jrondi to a multi-year deal as a coach, a development that was seen to provide stability to a team that has seen more coaches than any other national squad.
Just two months later, the big signing turned out to be one big dud.
Philippine Footbal Federation (PFF) president Nonong Araneta was in Cebu for the Central Visayas Football Association (CVFA). During the open forum, I threw one question, a non-general assembly-related question that the CVFA graciously allowed and Nonong gamely answered.
“What’s happening with the Azkals and why can’t we get a coach who will last for more than one tournament?” I asked.
“We’ll be coming up with a new coach,” he said, “We’re still negotiating with the salary... Barae was just an interim coach... We need a good coach for the AFC qualifiers, our coaching leaves much to be desired.”
The night before, I had an interesting exchange with Dan Palami, who said he never mentioned a multi-year deal and added that the contract was on a camp basis.
Already heavily criticized for their failures lately, the latest twist won’t make the Azkals and the PFF endear with the fans.
Who goofed the announcement? Why were there no efforts to correct the misinformation? To be fair, it’s not like the PFF was hiding something because it was Nonong himself who broke the news when he said in an interview that the Azkals don’t have a coach.
After the assembly, while the PFF president was busy entertaining requests for photos, Nonong answered a question I was yet to ask.
“The players are also asking, ‘Who is our coach?” he said. If fans are getting dizzy with the coaching merry-go-round, the lack of stability is a big issue for the players.
On Monday, May 22, 2023, Nonong said team management will announce the coach for the friendlies in June, which is part of the Azkals’ preparation for the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Coach for the friendlies in June. A coach for two games. No miscommunication there.
It is unfortunate that things like the coaching debacle overshadow development in Philippine football. During the assembly, Nonong announced that the PFF was applying to be allowed to give the Fifa pro coaching certificate, something that seemed impossible a decade ago.
He also announced the conduct of a national tournament for the girls U15 and U18, to go along with the boys’ programs.
At 12 years, Nonong’s is the longest-serving PFF president that I know of and under his term, football in the Philippines has truly changed. However, for some, he will be judged by how the Azkals have performed and how the fledgling Philippine Football League has fared in the past few years and I think that’s not a fair yardstick.