Australian Alen Stajcic named as new PH national women’s football team head coach

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) on Tuesday announced that it has tapped former Australian player and coach Alen Stajcic to be at the helm of the Philippine women’s national football team.

Stajcic will replace Marlon Maro, who guided the nationals to a second straight AFC Asian Cup appearance after sweeping the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last month.

“We are thrilled that Alen Stajcic has accepted the position to be the head coach of the Philippine Women’s National Team,” said PFF president Mariano "Nonong" Araneta.

“His appointment shows the commitment and determination of the PFF to give our women’s national team the best possible chance to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

Stajcic brings with him impressive coaching credentials.

He had a five-year stint with the Australian women’s national team, which was highlighted by qualification to the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, where the team reached the quarterfinals.

The 47-year-old mentor was also shortlisted for the Best FIFA Women’s Coach award in 2018.

“Coach Alen Stajcic has the capabilities to elevate the Philippine Women’s team on the Asian stage and beyond,” added PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes.

“We look forward to what he can bring to the team which has qualified to the final competition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022.”

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News