A technical group will study the plans and programs that the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has put in place.
Newly elected PFF president John Anthony Gutierrez has brought in former national player Freddie Gonzalez and Far Eastern University football coach Vincent Santos as part of his transition team that will take charge of football activities for years to come.
Gonzalez, who played for the national men’s team from 1997 to 2002, and Santos, who also coaches the Meralco Sparks in the Philippine Football League, will work with the managers of the Philippine Azkals and the Filipinas Women’s Football Team to learn and find ways to improve their training programs.
“We’re bringing in a technical group to assist and get insights on how to give further support to the national teams. It’s not just about the national teams, but more on making it more sustainable,” said Gutierrez
The 46-year-old Gutierrez, a businessman from Dipolog City, discussed the plans during a press conference on Friday at the Studio 300 in Makati City.
The new PFF chief, who replaced Mariano “Nonong” Araneta as president last Saturday, said they hope to provide local talents more opportunities to excel and be at par with players from other countries.
Plans include sending homegrown talents to training camps abroad to play and train under the watchful eyes of local and foreign coaches.
Gutierrez said his new team will continue the gains and success of the previous leadership of Araneta.
The ongoing evaluation of programs in the PFF will go all the way down to the grassroots level.
Bridging a big gap between the level of play of the country’s current crop of players, and those from other countries is among the priorities of Gutierrez during his term.