Former Gambia head coach Tom Saintfiet has taken the helm as the new coach of the Philippine national football team. The 50-year-old Belgian tactician was officially introduced to the media by the Philippine Football Federation on Monday morning, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his distinguished coaching career.
Expressing his thoughts on the exciting opportunity, Tom Saintfiet shared, “I was in need of an ambitious task — a project,” as reported by ESPN.
He emphasized the significance of personality and commitment over sheer talent in national team football, highlighting that playing for one’s country is the pinnacle of achievement.
“In the short term, we would like to create a team who believes still in that opportunity to be top two (in the group),” Saintfiet stated, outlining his strategic vision.
The Philippine team currently faces the challenge of being two points behind Vietnam, and Saintfiet aims to secure crucial points against Iraq.
Assessing the player pool and gauging their commitment to the project, Saintfiet expressed optimism about the team’s readiness to compete with the best in Asia.
He articulated his vision for the future, asserting, “If everyone is onboard and believes in this project, I’m sure we will be ready to compete with the best in Asia, and we will be there in 2027 for the (AFC) Asian Cup.”
Tom Saintfiet is a well-respected figure in African football, having previously coached national teams such as Ethiopia, Togo, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Gambia.
Following his departure from the role of head coach for Gambia after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, expectations were rife regarding his potential appointments with Cameroon or Algeria.
However, the surprising move to the Philippines has added a new layer to his coaching journey as he takes charge of the Azkals.
The footballing community eagerly awaits Saintfiet’s impact on the Philippine national team and how his wealth of experience will shape the squad’s fortunes in the challenging landscape of Asian football.
