Dubai: Former England captain Terry Butcher has quit as coach of the Philippines before his tenure had even started.
The 59-year-old former Ipswich and Rangers defender signed a two-year deal with the Azkals in June and was meant to start work in Manila this week, but he said the right system was not in place for success.
“I’m sorry to announce I will not be proceeding in the role,” said the former Motherwell and Hibernian coach.
“Across recent months I’ve been intensely engaged with many people to thoroughly understand and prepare for this exciting challenge.
“The vital issue for myself was to carefully build a robust plan to meet the football ambitions of the national team and do the country proud.
“Regretfully, I’ve not been able to make this work in the way that I intended and I’ve decided not to continue in the role.”
Head of the Philippines national team, Dan Palami, said: “We understand and respect Terry Butcher’s decision not to continue his role as national team coach of the Philippines.
“I was looking forward to working with Mr Butcher as we build a strong team for the country’s first Asian Cup (in the UAE in January). It is unfortunate, however, that Mr Butcher had expressed difficulty in executing his plans for the national team programme. We wish Mr Butcher well in his future endeavours.”
Palami added that another Englishman, Scott Cooper, who has vast experience of Asian football having managed in Thailand, would take charge in the interim as preparation continues for the Suzuki Cup and Asian Cup.
