Freddy Gonzalez formally stepped down from his crucial role in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) — a shocking move that created a huge hole in the federation’s national team program.

In a statement released late Tuesday, Gonzalez announced his resignation as the PFF director for national teams, saying that it is an honor to serve the federation but he needs more time to focus on his personal and professional endeavors.

“It has been one of the biggest honors of my life to be part of this team and I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity,” said Gonzalez, whose role was to oversee the national team programs.

“This was a very difficult decision to make and one that required much reflection and introspection.”

“Now is the time for me to focus on other pursuits and opportunities, both personal and professional.”

The federation accepted Gonzelez’s resignation and expressed its gratitude to his contributions to the national team program.

“The Philippine Football Federation announces that Freddy Gonzalez has concluded his tenure as senior national teams director and men’s national team manager,” the federation said in a statement.

“Gonzalez cited a decision to focus on personal and professional pursuits, expressing gratitude to the players and the PFF for the opportunity.”

Gonzalez is the latest high-profile personality to walk away from the federation.

Shortly after John Gutierrez replaced Mariano “Nonong” Araneta as PFF president in 2023, key executives who were responsible for the success of Philippine football have distanced themselves from the federation.

First to go was Philippine Azkals team manager Dan Palami, who was responsible for the success of the national squad that had Phil and James Younghusband, Stephan Schrock and Neil Etheridge.

Then, the team manager who led the Filipinas to a historic appearance in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in businessman Jefferson Cheng walked away, stressing that his plans and programs are no longer aligned with that of Gutierrez and the PFF administration.

Late last year, the team manager of the national women’s futsal team in Danny Moran also stepped down after their Dutch head coach Vic Hermans was shockingly “re-assigned” to the men’s squad in the middle of the holiday season.

The decision to replace Hermans with Spanish coach Rafa Merino Rodriguez was seen as a massive political power play as the national futsal squad — known as the Pinay5 — was preparing for the AFC Futsal Cup 2025 Qualifiers in Uzbekistan and the country’s hosting of the 2025 FIFA Futsal World Cup this November.

Prior to these high-profile resignations, a handful of PFF employees have also quitted after experiencing the difference in the management style of Gutierrez from that of his predecessor.

Gonzalez’s resignation, which was first reported by DAILY TRIBUNE, also has something to do with the way the federation is being managed.

Sources said Gonzalez is determined to put the best team on the pitch regardless of what country the players were born. In fact, he was instrumental in recruiting quality Filipino-foreign players in Randy Schneider, Bjorn Kristensen, and Gerrit Holtmann aside from the appointment of national coaches Tom Saintfiet of Belgium and Albert Capellas of Spain.

“I’ll never naturalize somebody who doesn’t have any Filipino heritage. That’s not something that I would like to do,” said Gonzalez in a previous statement, which contradicts the stand of the PFF that gives preference to Philippine-born talents.