Coach Tom Saintfiet leaves PH men’s football team after 6 months for Mali gig

MANILA, Philippines – The post-Azkals era of the Philippine men’s football team is off to a challenging start after head coach Tom Saintfiet resigned from his post on Thursday, August 29, to take on the Mali men’s team in Africa.

Saintfiet resigned just six months after taking the Philippines gig.

The separation, however, was mutual and amicable, according to the country’s director of senior national teams Freddy Gonzalez.

“From my first meeting with Tom, this is something we had discussed, that if a bigger opportunity came to him, I wouldn’t stand in his way,” he said in a statement.

“Tom came into the Philippine job with every intention of helping with our project, but his heart has always been in Africa. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his new role.”

The Philippines is now scrambling for a new shot-caller just six days before the team’s next tournament — the 2024 Pestabola Merdeka Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Wednesday, September 4. – Rappler.com