Alen Stajcic is staying put as coach of the national women’s football team after agreeing to a contract extension until next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Women’s football team manager Jefferson Cheng made the announcement Friday, March 4, three days after a meeting with the Australian-born mentor in Sydney where the deal was completed.
Stajcic was with his staff composed of assistant Nahuel Arrarte and strength and conditioning coach Luca Tonetti, who will also stick around to help with the buildup for the Philippines’ first-ever stint in FIFA”s premier event.
“The next 18 months will be challenging for all of us at the PWNT as we do our best to prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” Cheng said in a statement released by the Philippine Football Federation.
“We are all motivated, hopeful and looking forward to giving our best for the nation,” he added.
Stajcic was the architect of the dream run in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup which saw the national squad secure a World Cup berth following a dramatic victory over Taiwan in the quarterfinals via a shootout.
The Philippines wound up losing to South Korea in the semifinals.
“I’m delighted to continue our journey with the Philippine women’s national team through to the World Cup,” said Stajcic. “The Asian Cup performances were remarkable and phenomenal, but to share it with a group of staff and players that exemplified humility, gratitude and passion for the (Philippines) shirt is what really made it special.
“I’m extremely excited to help lead the team in the next chapter as we head for the pinnacle of our sport.”
With the new deal in place, Stajcic can now set up preparations for the World Cup, beginning with competitions such as the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam in May, the AFF Women’s Championship which the country will host in July and the Asian Games in China this September.