By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has officially appointed Spanish coach Carles Cuadrat as the new head coach of the Philippine men’s national football team.
The announcement was made early Thursday, July 24, with Cuadrat set to take over from Albert Capellas, who stepped down last May after leading the squad to the semifinals of the 2024 ASEAN Championships.
“We are pleased to welcome Coach Carles Cuadrat to lead our Senior Men’s National Team,” said PFF President John Gutierrez. “His deep tactical understanding, coupled with a history of building winning teams and developing players, perfectly aligns with our vision for the future.”
The federation described Cuadrat’s appointment as a “strategic move,” emphasizing its commitment to elevate the team’s performance and support the long-term growth of PH football.
Cuadrat, 56, brings a wealth of experience to the post. He previously served as a conditioning coach with various FC Barcelona youth teams from 1998 to 2005, before taking on roles with Galatasaray and the Saudi Arabian national team between 2008 and 2013.
He also served as an assistant coach for the El Salvador national team and later found success as head coach of Indian club Bengaluru FC, leading them to an Indian Super League title. In addition, Cuadrat has held assistant coaching roles with clubs in Cyprus and Denmark.
The PFF noted that Cuadrat is already familiar with the PH squad, having served as an assistant coach earlier this year. He stepped in as interim head coach during the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match against Tajikistan last June at New Clark City Stadium, where the Azkals earned a 2–2 draw.
