Why did you decide to take the job as head coach of the Philippines national team after your success with Gambia?
Many people saw it as a strange move going to the Philippines. I was in Gambia for five and a half years, improving our FIFA ranking by 56 positions and qualifying twice for AFCON, reaching the quarter-finals in 2021. I felt I needed a new challenge. Despite talking to big African countries like Ghana and Cameroon, the Philippines’ new and ambitious board approached me professionally. They have potential and clear plans. My desire to prove myself and open doors in Asia made me take this step.
What is the current state of football in the Philippines?
The Philippines has a complex situation. The domestic league recently expanded from five to 15 teams, but the level is diverse. Many players aren’t born in the Philippines but have Filipino heritage and play abroad. We’ve been working to find and convince these players to join the national team. It takes time due to passport issues, but we see potential. Our infrastructure is improving, with plans for a new national stadium surface. The local league includes both Filipino and foreign players, mainly from Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, and other countries.
You played four matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and lost all of them…
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Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines
