Alen Stajcic to remain Philippine women's football team head coach until 2023 World Cup

Alen Stajcic will continue to call the shots for the Philippine national women's football team until the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

Team manager Jeff Cheng made the announcement on Friday, adding that Stajcic's team agreed to the extension which was finalized last March 1.

“The next 18 months will be challenging for all of us at the PWNT as we do our best to prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said Cheng.

“We are all motivated, hopeful and looking forward to giving our best for the nation," Cheng added.

Stacjic, meanwhile, said he is excited to be with the women's football team.

“I’m delighted to continue our journey with the Philippines Women's National Team through to the World Cup,” said Stajcic. “The Asian Cup performances were remarkable and phenomenal, but to share it with a group of staff and players that exemplified humility, gratitude and passion for the (Philippines) shirt is what really made it special. I’m extremely excited to help lead the team in the next chapter as we head for the pinnacle of our sport.”

Stajcic will also handle the squad for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi in May, the AFF Women's Championships in Manila in July, and the Asian Games in China in September.

The Philippine Football Federation said they are honored to continue working with Stajcic, especially with the World Cup happening next year.

"The PFF is honored to continue working with a truly world class coach in Alen Stajcic whose professionalism and attention to detail have been instrumental in raising the level of the PWNT,” PFF president Mariano Araneta said in a statement. “The team’s performances in India showed that he is the best coach to also lead us in our first FIFA Women's World Cup appearance.”

Stajcic, a former coach of the Australian national women's team, joined the Philippine squad in October 2021.

—JMB, GMA News