MANILA – Thomas Dooley’s contract as head coach of the Philippine Azkals expires by the end of April.
It is not yet certain if the national football squad that made history after securing a spot in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup under his watch would still want to keep him around.
While he acknowledged that their qualification to the tournament in United Arab Emirates was a “big result,” team manager Dan Palami said “it would be unfair to judge him (Dooley) just based on this game.”
“We take a holistic approach, and it’s difficult to make commitments when you’re really happy,” Palami said after Azkals’ 2-1 win over Tajikistan in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier.
“We have to approach that objectively and see where we want to go,” Palami added. “We could be with him, of course. He contributed a lot, but I’d rather not say whether to extend his contract now.”
Dooley may have achieved a lot as head coach but he was also having a hard time getting along with some of the Azkals, a source from the football team told this reporter.
It was under Dooley’s tenure when several Azkals veterans, including Stephan Schrock, decided to leave the team.
The Filipino-German player figured in an argument with the American coach twice. Schrock now plays for Ceres Negros FC./PN
