Dan Palami is stepping down as the team manager of the Philippine men's national football, a post he has held since 2009.
He announced his intention during a press conference at the Philippine Football Federation’s House of Football in Pasig on Tuesday, as he sat beside newly-minted Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Gutierrez.
"There’s a new administration in the PFF. In deference to the new admin, I would want to give them a free hand as well," Palami said in a separate interview with Cignal's Paolo del Rosario.
"They're doing some changes in the PFF. And I don’t want to stand in the way of the changes they are doing,” he added.
Under Palami's watch, the Azkals rose to fame in the 2010s, most notably in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup where the Philippines blanked powerhouse Vietnam, 2-0.
That win was marked as "Miracle of Hanoi" and it led to Philippine football's resurgence, earning four consecutive second-round appearances at the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
"It’s not done. The run is not over. I'm a bit sad at the same time I'm relieved, it's been something I've been doing for almost 15," Palami told del Rosario. "I think it's time to give others a chance as well. I'm glad I've been contributory to the growth of Philippine football."
While Palami's chapter with the Azkals is closed, football is not done with him yet as he will train his focus on the grassroots level. He's planning to open a football academy in Tacloban, which will work with a Norwegian partner to send budding players abroad.
"It’s time to continue helping football grow in the Philippines but in another level and in another aspect," he said.
Palami has a simple message for the next person to take on his mantle.
"Good luck. It's a tough job, but if your hear is in it, I'm sure you can survive."
(With reports from Paolo del Rosario, Cignal)
(KA)