Head coach Tom Saintfiet parts ways with Philippine Men's National Football Team

Head coach Tom Saintfiet has parted ways with the Philippine Men's National Football Team (PMNFT).

The team announced the development on Thursday as Saintfiet will return to Africa to lead the Mali team.

"From my first meeting with Tom this is something we had discussed that if a bigger opportunity came to him that I wouldn’t stand in his way. Tom came into the Philippine job with every intention of helping with our project, but his heart has always been in Africa. We thank him for his service and wish," Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Teams Director Freddy Gonzalez said in a statement.

About Coach Tom pic.twitter.com/AwEyuCiWfl

— Philippine Men's National Football Team (@pmnft_official) August 29, 2024

Gonzalez said the PFF is already looking for Saintfiet's replacement, especially with the Merdeka Cup and preparations for the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup happening soon.

"With the Merdeka Cup around the corner, and preparations for the Mitsubishi Electric Cup ramping up, we need to move on quickly from this. We are already looking at candidates to take on the Head Coach role. I’m confident in finding a man that will be committed to our vision,” he said.

In a follow-up statement, Gonzalez added, "We had a longterm contract with Tom, and had every intention of seeing it through."

Freddy Gonzalez gives more insight on Coach Tom pic.twitter.com/wJOXEwMSuP

— Philippine Men's National Football Team (@pmnft_official) August 29, 2024

Saintfiet joined the PMNFT, replacing Michael Weiss, on February and led the squad in the March and June windows of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers where the Philippines fell to Iraq twice, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

The PMNFT also announced that Norman Fegidero will be the interim head coach and will be supported by the coaching staff of the Filipinas women's football team.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News