Business as usual for Filipinas amid resignation of team manager Jeff Cheng —PFF

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) said normalcy will be retained within the football body despite the unexpected resignation of Filipinas team manager Jeff Cheng last week, ending a fruitful stint that started in 2017.

PFF Director of National Teams Fred Gonzalez said Cheng's departure will not change anything in the operation of the squad, adding that the same pool of players will remain moving forward.

"Right now, the women’s program is still gonna continue as Jeff planned it out," Gonzalez said on Monday during a press conference.

"We’re not gonna change anything with regards to the players, the player pool. In fact, we’re looking to add even more players."

Gonzalez said the likes of Sarina Bolden and other core members will still be in the national team as they look to match or even surpass their success in the past years, which was highlighted by a historic 2023 FIFA World Cup appearance.

That tournament saw Bolden bring the Philippines to its first-ever victory in the World Cup after she converted the lone goal against co-host New Zealand.

"You’re still gonna see Sarina Bolden. And I have a Zoom meeting with them on Wednesday [with] all the players. In that aspect, nothing’s gonna change," Gonzalez added.

"We don’t wanna, at least my department, wanna break up something that has been working. If it is indeed the best way to do things, we’re gonna continue doing it. If we find anything we can make improvement, we will make improvements."

"Things are gonna go on as normal."

Gonzalez admitted that they tried to convince Cheng to stay, especially with how he helped in the rise of the Filipinas. Under his leadership, the Filipinas were able to usher in a new era after they reached the semifinals of the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup that allowed them to earn a World Cup berth.

"It’s really unfortunate, what happened. I wanted him to stay, but I couldn’t make it work. We’ve tried and done things to continue with [him], but Jeff just decided in the end that he doesn’t want to do it anymore," Gonzales shared.

"When I found out, it was really disappointing, and I just felt like we just wasted something really good."

Still, Gonzales said the PFF will continue its program for the Filipinas, who will now prepare for several matches in bid to qualify again for the 2027 FIFA World Cup.

"On the women’s side, we’re either gonna do friendlies here locally in October. Or we’ve been invited to a number of different tournaments abroad, so we might consider those first for October. "

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News