Ex-Matildas coach Alen Stajcic quits Philippines after historic win

Former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic is a free agent once again despite leading a World Cup minnow to a historic result in New Zealand.

It was an incredible effort from Stajcic. Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Aussie football coach Alen Stajcic has walked away from the Philippines after their Women’s World Cup exit to “explore other options”.

Stajcic was the first Australian born coach to win a knockout game at a World Cup with the Matildas in 2015 but was unceremoniously sacked in 2019.

Proving it was no fluke, Stajcic replicated the success with the Philippines, earning the nation its first World Cup win in men’s or women’s events with a 1-0 win over co-hosts New Zealand last week.

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But after the side was bundled out of the Women’s World Cup in a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Norway, Stajcic and assistant coach Nahuel Arrarte, whose contracts expired at the end of the Philippines’ World Cup campaign, asked to explore other options rather than seek a renewal of the deal.

The 49-year-old Stajcic had been the helm of the Philippines since October 2021 and paid tribute to the incredible journey the nation has been on in the past 20 months.

“I would first and foremost like to express my gratitude to Sir Jeff for giving us the opportunity and entrusting us with the keys to the National Team,” Stajcic’s statement read.

“Throughout nearly 20 months we went on a journey together as a Team from outsiders in South-East Asia to winning a match at a World Cup.

It was an incredible effort from Stajcic. Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images

“There are too many highs to reflect on …

— semi final of AFC Asian Cup

— 1st ever competitive bronze medal at SEA Games

— Winning the AFF in Manila

— Scoring our 1st goal and beating European opposition

— Record high FIFA rankings time after time

… all of which were special and memorable and brought much deserved attention to the Team.

“But without question, the two best experiences of my coaching career thus far were the last two World Cup matches.

“Beating New Zealand on home soil and scoring our first World Cup goal and getting our first win was the things that dreams are made of.

“And despite the scoreline, the last match against Norway, where 34,000 patrons attended, with 30,000 singing for the Filipinas, brought shivers down our spine.

“It showed that Football does belong in the Philippines, and that legacy is something we are all proud of.”

Stajcic also paid tribute to his players, saying they were “courageous, passionate, disciplined and loyal to the team, the flag and the country”, adding the side gave hope to the nation.

It comes following the Philippines’ deflating 6-0 loss to Norway on Sunday night.

Stajcic previously coached the Matildas between 2014 and 2019. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

While there would no doubt be some disappointment about the finish, Stajcic said he could not have asked any more from the team despite the thumping loss.

“They are a classy team and they picked us apart,” Stajcic said after the result. “We tried hard all the way to the end and I am proud of the heart and spirit of our team.

“They fought to the end. From that perspective it has been an amazing World Cup. The players have punched so far above their weight.”

Despite the outcome, the Philippines players still took the acclaim at full-time of their noisy support, which made up the majority of the crowd of close to 35,000.

“It felt like a home game,” Stajcic said.

“To bring football to life in the Philippines has been a moment you can’t turn back from.

“These players have really left their mark and left a legacy for future generations. I can’t ask any more. They gave everything.”

Stajcic, who took over in 2021, called on football authorities in the Philippines to increase investment in the grassroots game in the country to give them a chance of returning to future World Cups.

Stajcic has long been lined up to replace Ruben Zadkovich at Perth Glory in the A-League, after the coach quit the club in June despite another year on his contract.

FTBL reported in early July that the former Central Coast Mariners mentor was being “teed up” for the role after the Philippines exit.

With AFP

Originally published as Ex-Matildas coach Alen Stajcic quits Philippines after historic win