Albert Capellas will take over for the Philippine Men’s National Football Team, bringing over 30 years of coaching experience to lead the team’s new vision and style.
The Philippine Men’s National Football Team has appointed Albert Capellas as its new head coach, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) announced on Tuesday, September 10.
The 56-year-old Spaniard takes over from Tom Saintfiet, who stepped down in late August, just before the team’s participation in the 2024 Merdeka Cup.
During the Merdeka Cup, Norman Fegidero Jr. stepped in as interim coach, leading the team through a tough campaign that saw close defeats to Malaysia and Tajikistan.
Despite the setbacks, the PFF remained determined to find a permanent leader who could implement a cohesive vision for the team, leading to the selection of Capellas.
“Our priority was to find someone who not only shared our philosophy for the National Teams but also had the ability to quickly convey that vision to our players,” said Freddy Gonzalez, Director of Senior National Teams.
“In Albert Capellas, we’ve found the perfect fit — someone who embodies our ideals and has decades of experience in elite football environments across Europe and Asia,” he added.
Capellas, a Spanish UEFA Pro License Coach, brings 33 years of coaching experience, including over a decade at FC Barcelona. He was an assistant coach for FC Barcelona B, Youth Team Coordinator, and eventually Deputy Director of the Youth Academy.
His international experience includes working with Thomas Frank at Denmark’s Brøndby, Peter Bosz at Germany’s Borussia Dortmund and Netherlands’ Vitesse, and Jordi Cruyff at Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv and China’s Chongqing Dangai.
He also led Denmark’s Under-21 team to their most successful period from 2019 to 2021 before managing Danish club Midtjylland.
Capellas has since expressed his excitement about joining the Philippines’ national team.
“I’m proud to be part of this journey. The Federation’s commitment to elevating football in the Philippines is aligned with my own vision. I clicked personally with Freddy, and I believe we can make great things happen together,” Capellas said. “It won’t be easy, but we will give our best. I hope the fans enjoy the way we play and perform.”
Capellas has also been instrumental in developing world-renowned talents like Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Thiago Alcântara, and Pedro, and he aims to use that experience to help Filipino players reach their full potential.
“Our vision is built on three values: Honesty, Commitment, and Courage. We want to create a new way of playing and training, and help Filipino players succeed internationally,” said Capellas
Under interim coach Fegidero, the national team has already started to shift towards a more proactive and aggressive playing style, focusing on controlling possession and dictating the game.
With Capellas now at the helm and Fegidero as his assistant, this transformation is expected to accelerate.
Gonzalez also expressed optimism about Capellas’ impact on the team’s future.
“Albert observed the Merdeka Cup and even started offering advice before the Tajikistan match. His attention to detail and ability to communicate his ideas were impressive. Our players and fans can look forward to exciting times ahead,” said Gonzalez.
As Capellas takes charge, the Philippines’ national team is set to embark on a new chapter with high hopes for regional and global success.