CEBU, Philippines, August 12, 2023 - The dawn of a new season for Cebu FC is set to unfold in the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara, guided by fresh leadership in the form of a new head coach and assistant coach.
Taking the reins as head coach is American Joshua Schirmer, who steps into the role previously held by Mehmet Kakil of Turkey. Kakil led CFC to a notable second-place finish in its inaugural regular season within the Philippines Football League, securing a coveted spot in the AFC Asians Cup to represent the Philippines.
Assuming the position of assistant coach is Scottish native Mustafa Al-Saffar. Al-Saffar takes over from Levent Öztürk, also of Turkey, and will additionally serve as the technical director of the Cebu Football Club Academy.
This dynamic duo of coaches was formally unveiled during a press conference on the preceding Saturday, August 12, at the Conference Room of the Dynamic Herb Stadium.
The newly-installed 42-year-old coach brings with him a wealth of coaching experience, having worked extensively from 2013 to 2019 at various universities in the United States and on the professional stage in Prague, Czech Republic. His coaching journey followed a successful playing career in Hong Kong and Japan, during which he achieved fluency in the local languages.
Meanwhile, Al-Saffar, aged 33 and holding a UEFA A coaching license, boasts a rich background in football. Hailing from Scotland, he has actively collaborated with esteemed football clubs such as Dundee United FC, Feyenoord, and Borussia Dortmund.
Both coaches have acclimated themselves within the club over a span of two weeks, aligning themselves with the team's ethos and strategies. Reflecting on his initial impressions, Coach Schirmer conveyed, "I must admit, I'm pleasantly surprised. We joined the players shortly after they embarked on their fitness regimen. We've been assisting in guiding their fitness progress, and I must say that not only is their skill level impressive, but their attitude is equally commendable. This is truly exciting."
Coach Schirmer went on to emphasize that the team is currently in the process of experimenting with players in various positions, aiming to ascertain the best possible fit for the club's success.
"We've undertaken extensive analysis, though it's important to acknowledge that we were not present during the last season. Nonetheless, it's evident that the team had an outstanding inaugural season, marked by success. Our ambition is to build upon last year's achievements and exceed expectations," Schirmer stated.
Despite their recent arrival, Schirmer and Al-Saffar proactively immersed themselves in their roles, conducting extensive Zoom meetings six weeks before their physical arrival, as confirmed by the assistant coach.
"For both Coach Joshua and myself, collaboration is paramount; we need to synchronize our coaching strategies. Well before our arrival, we engaged in numerous Zoom sessions to establish our playing style, player dynamics, the existing team framework, and more," narrated Al-Saffar.
Beyond the introduction of the new coaching team, the club is set to welcome new signings – two players from Turkey and two from Japan. Coach Schirmer hinted at the possibility of exploring talent across Cebu Province, thereby extending CFC's presence beyond Cebu City to encompass the entire island.
"While we recognize the significance of foreign players, local and Philippine players hold immense importance. For instance, the Copa Alcantara permits only four foreign players in the lineup. Hence, it's crucial to secure appropriate signings. We're actively scouting across various locations, and what could be better than discovering a local player who has tasted triumph within a local team. That's our strategy," shared Schirmer.
Coach Schirmer also outlined his intention to involve the local community in the club's journey.
"As the sole professional team on the island, I aspire to foster a deep connection with the local community. This is a goal we've embraced wholeheartedly. Our style of play should resonate with the community, and we're determined to make an impact through community events, engagement, and collaborations. Our connection with the community will be profound," he affirmed.
Despite the change in leadership, the club's unwavering winning mentality remains intact. Coach Schirmer emphasized, "Our objective is clear – victory in every facet. We will never settle for mediocrity in any competition. Our ambition is to clinch victory across all tournaments and to grasp every available trophy. That's our mindset. We will pour our utmost into achieving this vision, and it would be particularly gratifying to realize these aspirations culminating in a berth at the Asian Champions League next year."
One shared enthusiasm among both coaches is the prospect of engaging with the fervent home crowd, an element they've heard much about.
The commencement of the 2023 season for the Gentle Giants will be marked by a home fixture in the Copa Paulino Alcantara, scheduled for August 20th at 3 pm, where they will face off against the University of the Philippines.
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