Tough task ahead

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is moving on from the Freddy Gonzales era as it formally appointed Miguel “Mico” Gutierrez as team manager of the men’s national team.

In a statement, the federation said Gutierrez will be taking an active role of leading the national squad in major international events in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this year.

Gutierrez is the president of the National Capital Region Football Association and the younger brother of incumbent PFF president John Gutierrez.

“We thank Mico for taking on the important role of managing the Philippine men’s national team,” the PFF said in a statement on Thursday.

“The PFF is confident that with his experience and expertise in football and business management, he will be able to bring our men’s team towards the direction we’ve set out to do from the very beginning, which is to build on the gains of the team and keep on advancing on the international stage.”

Gutierrez, who steered the men’s U16 squad to the title of the Lion City Cup in Singapore recently, will have big shoes to fill.

For one, he will be tasked to fill the giant void created by the departure of Gonzales, who stepped down as director of national teams and manager of the men’s national squad last June reportedly to “focus on other pursuits and opportunities, both personal and professional.”

Gonzalez, the nephew of industrialist Enrique Razon and a former national team striker, brought in two skilled coaches in Tom Saintfiet of Belgium and Alert Capellas in Spain.

He was also responsible for the addition of Randy Schneider, Bjorn Kristensen and Gerrit Holtmann, a Bundesliga-quality player, into the Filipino team.

It was under Gonzalez’s management that the Filipino booters made it to the semifinal of the ASEAN Championship in 2024 and even scored a 2-1 win over Thailand, the first since 1972, in the first leg.

Gutierrez, for his part, will be tasked to maintain and strengthen the squad for the AFC Asia Cup Qualifiers, where the Filipinos need to top Group G to qualify for the biggest footballing competition in Asia.

On the same note, the PFF also formally appointed Carles Cuadrat of Spain as the new head coach of the men’s national team.

The 56-year-old Cuadrat served as assistant of Capellas in FC Midtjylland in Denmark back in 2023, prompting him to continue the system and foundation laid out by his compatriot.

“His deep tactical understanding, coupled with a history of building winning teams and developing players, perfectly aligns with our vision for the future,” the PFF said, referring to the appointment of Cuadrat.

“We saw a glimpse of his immediate impact during the Tajikistan match, demonstrating his ability to inspire and adapt under pressure. We are confident that under his guidance, our national team will achieve new milestones and ignite even greater passion for football across the country.”

Meanwhile, Filipinas defender Maz Pacheco will suit up for Everton FC in the upcoming Women’s Super League.

Pacheco said she couldn’t wait to play for the Toffees and improve from last season’s eighth-place finish.

“It is amazing to join Everton. To be at such a historic club is an unbelievable feeling. I wanted to stay in the WSL and give it my all,” the 26-year-old told Evertontv.

“I have matured as a player and for Everton to be the club to bring me back home is fantastic. To be close to family, to have friends already in the squad, and to be able to come to play at Goodison Park is amazing.”