
Staying as coach of the national women’s football team beyond the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is something Alen Stajcic would rather think later than now.
Stajcic’s contract will be up after the Asian Cup, and Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta had earlier said that the football association will exert all efforts to keep the Australian in charge.
But Stajcic said the situation is something that can be discussed in the foreseeable future after being asked on the eve of the Pinay booters’ Asian Cup semifinal against South Korea.
The two teams were scheduled to meet Thursday afternoon in Pune, India, with the winner advancing to face Japan or China in the final.
“Anything that happens next week or the week after or the year after is really not relevant at this time. And that question falls into that bracket,” Stajcic said when asked during the pre-match press conference.
Stajcic, who once handled his home country’s women’s squad, has been credited for the terrific performance of the ladies during the continental competition that resulted in gaining a spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
The Philippines clinched that berth in the quarterfinals when it needed a penalty shootout to outlast Taiwan, 4-3, after a 1-all tie at the end of regulation and extra time.
He also brought some coaches who were part of his previous runs with Australia and A-League men’s side Central Coast Mariners like assistant Nahuel Arrante and strength and conditioning coach Luca Tonetti.
In the lead-up to the Asian Cup, Stajcic oversaw a lengthy camp in Irvine, California where the team was able to find cohesion before heading to India.