Alen Stajcic is leaving the Philippine women’s national football team, together with his chief assistant, Nahuel Arrarte.

Jefferson Cheng, manager of the Filipinas, announced yesterday that the contracts of the two coaches expired at the conclusion of their campaign in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

“They will not be renewed as both coaches have asked to explore other options,” Cheng said.

Stajcic took over as coach of the Filipinas in October 2021, and steered them to historic achievements during his time in charge.

In his first tournament at the helm, the Filipinas advanced to the semifinals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022, in the process earning a ticket to the World Cup.

They also won the AFF Women’s Championship at home last year and bagged a bronze medal in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.

In the World Cup, Stajcic guided the Filipinas to a breakthrough win over co-host New Zealand in their second match in Group A — a result that elevated the profile of the team not just in the Philippines but globally.

Stajcic said that there are “too many highs to reflect on,” but stressed that their last two matches in the World Cup were among the best experiences of his coaching career.

“Beating New Zealand on home soil and scoring our first World Cup goal and getting our first win are the things that dreams are made of,” Stajcic said in a message through Cheng.

“And despite the scoreline, the last match against Norway, where 34,000 patrons attended, with 30,000 singing for the Filipinas, brought shivers down our spine,” he added.

“It showed that football does belong in the Philippines, and that legacy is something we are all proud of,” he said.

Stajcic hailed the Filipinas for their courage, passion, discipline, and loyalty to the flag and country, and wished them well in their future.

For his part, Cheng also lauded Stajcic and Arrarte’s contributions to the team and to Philippine sports.

“We wish coach Alen and coach Naz the best of luck in their next football adventure, and we will forever be grateful to them for changing the landscape of Philippine football forever,” he said.

“They have shown us what is possible with proper guidance, dedication and hard work, and their efforts have led to the greatest achievement in Philippine football thus far — a match won against the higher-ranked host nation at the World Cup. They will surely be our beloved heroes for decades to come,” he added.

The team did not immediately announce who would take over as head coach of the Filipinas. The team is expected to see action in the Asian Games in China this September.

The Philippine Football Federation paid tribute to Stajcic for the job he has done with the national team, with federation President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta saying that the Australian mentor “showed full dedication to honing the Filipinas into a fighting team.”

“He will long be remembered as the coach who trained and dared the team to win at any international competition. Maraming salamat, coach Alen,” Araneta said.

“We thank coach Alen for his outstanding services rendered. His legacy as coach will be in the annals of Philippine football history,” PFF secretary-general, Atty. Ed Gastanes said.

Earlier, the federation also hailed the Filipinas’ achievements in New Zealand.

“Over the course of the last 18 months, the Filipinas united the country in support of their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance. While they may have missed out on qualification to the knockout stages, they have achieved something greater, and that was to see the entire Filipino community in the Philippines and wherever they are around the world show their overwhelming support to the team,” Araneta said.

“We recognize the hard work and sacrifices this team has made to make our World Cup dream a reality,” he added.

Gastanes also expressed his gratitude to the Filipinos who supported the team both in New Zealand and at home.

“We have also seen the outpouring of support from Filipinos all over the world as shown in the numerous watch parties in the Philippines and all over the globe. While the team exits from the 2023 World Cup competition, their journey continues,” he said. (ABS-CBN News)