Former England captain Terry Butcher will take the coaching role for the the Philippine National Men’s Football team, according to The Scottish Sun.
The British publication broke the news a day before the official unveiling of Thomas Dooley’s successor, to be organized by the management of the Azkals.
An experienced manager, Butcher will provide a plenty of experience to a Philippine side that is looking to reach greater heights in the upcoming Asian Cup.
He is set to continue the momentum established by Dooley.
Dooley, a former USA captain, steered the Azkals to a bridesmaid finish in the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup, before bringing the Philippines to the zenith of Asian football by qualifying for the Asian Cup.
The Englishman’s first managerial stint came in 1990 when he became Coventry City’s player-manager for two seasons. He then briefly did the same with Sunderland in 1993, before retiring as a player in the same year. Later on, he managed six more clubs – all in Britain except one, when he managed Australian club Sydney FC.
The Philippines job will be Butcher’s first ever on the international level, although he is not totally new to international football, having been an assistant coach for Scotland back in 2008.
Butcher has also had an impressive career as a player, helping the Rangers win three Scottish Premiership titles in the late 80’s. He also played a part in Ipswich Town’s UEFA Cup triumph back in 1981.
On the international stage, he has played for England in three World Cups between 1982 and 1990. Taking over the captaincy following Bryan Robson’s injury early in the 1990 World Cup, Butcher played a big role towards England’s fourth-place finish in the tournament – their best since winning the trophy back in 1966.
The Philippines will be hopeful that Butcher’s wealthy experience as both player and manager will rub off on the players when he takes charge of the Azkals for the upcoming Asian Cup, to be held in the UAE in January 2019.
The former Ipswich and Rangers defender will be officially unveiled by the Azkals on June 14 in a press conference that will be staged at the Solaire Hotel and Casino in Parañaque City.
