By now, former Philippine National Men’s Football Team (PNMFT) coach Albert Capellas is now settled somewhere else. I even saw a report saying that the Spanish gaffer is the new academy director of one of the powerhouse football clubs in Croatia. Capellas’ new role gives him the front seat in overlooking the development of the club’s youth system that has produced several international football stars.
Until now, the real reasons or reason why Capellas left the team, remain/s unknown. Speculations, however, remain rife.
In a chat with Freddy Gonzalez, the team manager of the PNMFT said it was very unfortunate that Capellas had to leave for personal reasons. He said he respects Capellas and that he also considers him as a friend.
“I’m not going to speculate and will give him the privacy he deserves. As it is actually none of my business. Life just happens sometimes. No one is more sad and disappointed than me right now, but we have to move forward,” Gonzalez said.
What Capellas did is nothing new when it comes to coaching the PNMFT. Capellas took over leading the team just a few days before a major tournament when erstwhile coach Tom Saintfiet abruptly left the team to take the head coaching job in Africa.
The team, formerly known as the Azkals, is set to face Tajikistan on June 10 as hostilities resume in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Despite this, Gonzalez remains unfazed and is confident that Capellas’ departure will not impact the team’s bid to qualify in the continent’s biggest football event in two years time.
“The good part of this is that he brought coach Carles Cuadrat with him and he will continue what Albert started. We will be in good hands moving forward,” he explained.
Gonzalez is also confident that the squad will show the same hunger and disposition regardless of the major coaching development.
“Nothing changes as coach Carles brings vast experience and the same style of play and commitment as Albert, so right now it’s important for everyone to support him, the players, the staff and get that win vs Tajikistan and qualify for the Asian Cup,” Gonzalez explained.
But no matter how hard he explains the current predicament of the team and no matter how he tries to downplay what happened, Gonzalez is aware of the criticisms and speculations surrounding not only the national team, but the whole Philippine Football Federation as well.
“Everyone is going to speculate that it’s because of this, that and whatever, but has nothing to do with anything inside the greater PFF. Sometimes life is unfair and this is one of those moments. So what do we do? We pick ourselves up and keep pushing forward like the team has always done under me. Coach Carles and the players need our support and we will give them everything they need to succeed,” Gonzalez maintained.
A source, however, said that there are several reasons why Capellas left the team. The reasons he said could be either that Capellas received a bigger offer outside the PFF, family related or someone made his life miserable. He added that it could also be about money or more specifically about his salary.
Moreover, unlike Sainfiet, the source said that the PFF knew days ahead that Capellas was moving on. If the reason was because of an individual within the PFF, The Designated Kit Man will no longer be surprised. It is the same pattern all over again, just like what happened to the former managers of the national men’s and women’s teams, who left the PFF in a heartbeat.
It is also not a coincidence anymore because prior to Capellas’ departure, two other officials left the federation. Josep Ferre, former coach of the PNMFT and technical director of the PFF, resigned allegedly because he raised the conflicts of interest of another official. Two other Spanish coaches also quit with Ferre.
Earlier, another top official in charge of hosting a big tournament this year quit, too, citing “unsatisfactory work environment, differences in management styles and the lack of support makes it impossible for him to carry out his duties and responsibilities” as the reasons why he is leaving his post.
The spate of resignations is, again, nothing new when it comes to the PFF. This has been the norm, rather than the exception, since John Gutierrez took over from the old PFF administration. And it makes me wonder, sino na lang ba naiwan sa PFF? Sino pa ang susunod? And why?
The bigger question, however, is — who is responsible for these perplexing and sad developments?
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
