26 November 2011

Weiss stays as football coach

COACH Hans Michael Weiss will stay on as coach of the Philippine Azkals and the national under-23 team.

Football officials are not keen on letting Weiss go despite the Junior Azkals’ disappointing performance in the recent 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

Weiss, who tried to quit in June because there was little time to prepare the Junior Azkals for the biennial meet, will now be responsible keeping the team intact and prepared for the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar.

“I tried to quit. But I gave my word to the Philippine Football Federation. I tried my best. But, it was not good enough. Nevertheless, we should leave this behind and work on the future. We, the PFF and (team manager) Mr. Dan Palami, have a good relationship,” said Weiss.

Weiss, who took full responsibility for the team’s performance, said they are now on the right track, adding that the Junior Azkals will be a good team if they remain intact for the next two years.

“It was too early the last time. The preparations were too short compared to the other teams, which have been playing their under-15, under 17 and under-20 teams for around five to six years together, with regular competition,” added Weiss.

Weiss, who was in constant communication with his former mentor, German football expert Eckhard Krautzun when the latter toured several provinces over the last two months, said bringing in players to the SEA Games just one day before competitions and expecting a gold medal was too presumptuous.

Krautzun has recommended to the PFF that Weiss should keep on handling the Philippine Azkals and the Junior Azkals simultaneously so that there will be continuity in the development program of the national team. Peter Atencio


Manila Standard Today

8 comments:

  1. A better idea, especially for the sake of continuity, would be to let Weiss concentrate on the seniors and let one of his assistants, either Cabalida or Bracamonte handle the U-23's with Weiss as a consultant. It would be sort of like England's setup (I'm sure there could be others with a similar setup) where Pierce is in charge of their U-21's while being an assistant to Capello in the senior team.

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  2. that was too easy. what crap mind would engineer this kind of stuff? somebody bent over for this move.

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  3. Coach Weiss did make a good point about preparation. Most countries do not have long preparation for their U23 teams. Most professional footballers are signed to a club by the time they are 16 and they cannot take 2 months away from the club for U23 duty. Many are important professional players with top clubs. However these players have been part of the national team system since they were 15 and can come together at short notice because of their history with the program, the coaches, and their teammates. I would not want local players to be told that they would not get a chance to play for their country if they are signed to a US scholarship or a professional contract in another country. It would be damaging to the program if players who were good enough to earn a living playing football need not apply.

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  4. What the hell are you talking about anonymous 520pm? So if a player gets offered to play professionally overseas, they are barred from the football program here? It sounds counter productive, what yer saying. Just because our senior team saw some success in the suzuki cup last year doesnt mean our kids automatically become messi or ronaldo. Were not a powerhouse. And if our aim is to get medals and awards then you should not turn away Fiipinos trained overseas. We should also encourage the youngsters from playing for clubs overseas. YOU NEED TO GET YOUR HEAD CHECKED BUDDY!

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  5. did Krautzun really mention that? hmmm! I think this is one way, we should hear what Mr Palami and Mr Araneta would say about this. Weiss is really keeping himself safe. I believe he will get fired soon.

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  6. Dear Clockworks, with respect, you should read my post again especially the second half where I make it clear that players who have a chance to play overseas should NOT be barred and that it would be damaging to the program if they were. Our goal should be to develop players who are good enough to make a living playing football but who are able to come together to play as a team when their country asks them to play.
    People keep posting about having long periods of preparation. You cannot have long periods of preparation unless the players are not good enough to earn a living at football. It does work for women because there are few chances for them to play professionally.

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  7. long preparation for the under 23 tournament is much better however this lads should have a better wage and benefits...so that there tenureship is worthwhile. and if theres a call up abroad with a better wage and oppurtunity to excel more, then the players should accept that oppurtunity however that player should continously in contact to the National team in case of the tournament. In case of the locals as of now...i would prefer a long term training (with a foreign coach) with international exposure with wage and benefits. This is more realistic because our local is not good as the others....plus PFF should help the UFL and other leagues so that the development continue. and continue to search in the province and keep the selection bias.

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  8. correction

    long preparation for the under 23 tournament is much better however this lads should have a better wage and benefits...so that there tenureship is worthwhile. and if theres a call up abroad with a better wage and oppurtunity to excel more, then the players should accept that oppurtunity however that player should continously in contact to the National team in case of the tournament. In case of the locals as of now...i would prefer a long term training (with a foreign coach) with international exposure with wage and benefits. This is more realistic because our local is not good as the others....plus PFF should help the UFL and other leagues so that the development continue. and continue to search in the province and keep the selection not bias (that what i mean).

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