Albert Capellas has officially resigned from his position as head coach of the Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNT), the announcement was made last May 31 2025.
Personal Reasons
This decision ends a brief yet impactful tenure that saw the squad reach historic milestones under his guidance. The Spanish tactician, who served for just eight months, stepped down citing personal reasons, a move confirmed by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).
His departure comes just weeks before a critical fixture in the Philippines’ AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign. In his place, assistant coach Carles Cuadrat—also a Spaniard—has been appointed as interim head coach and will lead the team in their upcoming match against Tajikistan on June 10 at the New Clark City Stadium.
A Legacy of Progress in Just 8 Months
Capellas’ brief stint with the PMNT left a significant mark. Under his leadership, the national squad achieved a memorable run in the 2024 ASEAN Hyundai Cup, reaching the semifinals and recording a landmark victory over regional powerhouse Thailand. This success was seen as a turning point for the team, which has long struggled to find consistency in the international scene.
In a farewell statement, Capellas expressed deep gratitude for the support he received throughout his tenure. “My wonderful journey as head coach of the Philippine National Football Federation has come to an end and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have been part of it especially the players and all the staff involved, the [PFF] Director of National Teams Freddy Gonzalez, and the [PFF] President John Gutierrez,” he said.
“Together, we have enjoyed an inspiring journey and have proven that Filipino football has a promising generation of young players with the potential to bring great pride and success to the country,” he added. “I am sincerely grateful for the time we have shared and for the support and kindness I’ve received from the entire Filipino football community. I will always carry these memories with me and wish the Federation and the team continued growth and success in the years to come.”
Coaching Turnover and the Road Ahead
Capellas’ exit continues a pattern of short coaching tenures within the national team program. His departure follows those of Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet, who lasted only seven months, and Moroccan mentor Barae Jrondi, whose time with the team ended abruptly after just two friendlies.
Freddy Gonzalez, PFF’s Director of National Teams and Men’s Team Manager, acknowledged Capellas’ contributions and chose not to delve deeper into the reasons for his resignation. “Personal reasons have led to Albert’s departure. Out of great respect for him, we will not elaborate. We are grateful for his service, and wish him well. I continue to consider him a friend,” Gonzalez said.
He also emphasized the importance of moving forward with the momentum the team has built. “As with all things in life, change happens and one must always be prepared to handle unexpected turns. We move on, and keep pushing forward. Albert left us with a blueprint to follow and we thank him for bringing Carles on board, enabling him to be the interim head coach and provide continuity for what Albert has started. Now is the time to focus on the match with Tajikistan and push to be top of the group and focus on qualifying for the Asian Cup.”
Carles Cuadrat Takes the Helm
Carles Cuadrat, who now steps into the head coaching role, brings significant experience. At 56, the Barcelona native has previously worked with national teams such as Saudi Arabia and El Salvador, and with club sides including Galatasaray, FC Midtjylland, and Barcelona’s youth setup. Most recently, he led Indian club East Bengal FC to its first trophy in over ten years.
Cuadrat now faces the challenge of steering the team through the crucial stages of the Asian Cup qualification process. The Philippines will be looking to build on their dominant 4-1 win over the Maldives and maintain momentum in their push for a spot in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
While Capellas’ time in the Philippines was brief, it was marked by optimism, progress, and renewed belief in the capabilities of the national team. His legacy, according to the federation and those close to the program, will be defined by the foundation he laid and the vision he instilled for the future of Philippine football.
Courtesy of: Philippine Men’s National Football Team via Facebook
24 Man Lineup Versus Tajikistan
The PMNFT has unveiled its 24-man roster ahead of a pivotal AFC Asian Cup qualifying match against Tajikistan last May 27 2025, scheduled for June 10 at the New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
Coming off a convincing 4-1 victory over Maldives last March, the Philippines aims to maintain its momentum in Group A. The match also serves as the team’s first outing since the sudden resignation of former head coach Albert Capellas, who stepped down just weeks before the clash, citing personal reasons. His departure adds a layer of transition to a squad that is already navigating a tightly contested qualification race.
Bundesliga veteran Gerrit Holtmann headlines the lineup and is poised to make his long-awaited debut on Philippine soil. Holtmann, who debuted for the national team in 2022, remains a vital figure despite currently being unattached to any club. Another significant name on the list is Randy Schneider, who impressed with a goal and an assist in the last fixture against Maldives.
The full 24-man squad is as follows:
GOALKEEPERS
- Kevin Mendoza
- Quincy Kammeraad
- Nicholas Guimaraes
DEFENDERS
- Paul Tabinas
- Santi Rublico
- Amani Aguinaldo
- Jesper Nyholm
- Jeff Tabinas
- Adrian Ugelvik
- Josef Baccay
- Scott Woods
MIDFIELDERS
- Sandro Reyes
- Manny Ott
- Zico Bailey
- Randy Schneider
- John Lucero
- Oskari Kekkonen
ATTACKERS
- André Leipold
- Dov Cariño
- Gerrit Holtmann
- Dylan DeMuynck
- Bjorn Kristensen
- Jarvey Gayoso
