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Football roundup: Weiss officially out, PD wins opener, Global gets new coach

Weiss departure now official.

What was widely reported in social media over the weekend is now official. Ebong Joson, the PFF's marketing savant, released this statement to the media on Monday morning.

The Philippine Football Federation discontinued the services of Michael Weiss as head coach of the Men’s National Team effective 15 January 2014. The coaching staff will be reformed in time for the AFC Challenge Cup 2014 Finals in May 2014.

PFF made a year-end evaluation with team management and determined that a re-organization of the coaching staff is best for the team.

PFF officials thanked Coach Weiss for his contributions to the national team.

13 January 2014, PFF House of Football, Pasig City.”

A shortlist of six candidates for the vacant coaching job has reportedly been put together but there is no word on when a new coach will be announced.

Pachanga Diliman 2, Team Socceroo 0.

One team picked up where it left off. Another one got a rude welcome to the UFL's top flight.

On Saturday last year's Cup finalists kicked off UFL first-division league play in Emperador Stadium with a decisive win over newly-promoted Socceroo thanks to a pair of goals by Nate Burkey.

The big Virginian kicked off the scoring in the 33rd minute when he controlled a looping forward pass with his chest on a breakaway, got a step on his marker, and hoofed past Socceroo keeper Guilherme Hasegawa.

In the 68th Burkey made it 2-0, stroking home a penalty awarded when Jay Eusebio was tripped up in the box by Hasegawa.

PD were definitely the stronger team, with chances from Reza Amirkhizan and Ariel Zerrudo going to waste in the second half.

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But Team Socceroo looked strong in spots, with Park Yi Young rattling the crossbar in the 35th minute and forcing a great diving save by PD keeper Steve Yambou five minutes into the second half.

Pachanga Diliman's regular keeper is Kim Versales, but he didn't start because he showed up late for the game. The Masbateño accidentally locked his keys inside his car, causing a delay getting to the stadium.

For Socceroo, it was a sobering reminder about how tough Division 1 can be. The squad earned promotion with a perfect 18-0-0 record in last year's second tier league.

In the other division one game, Green Archers United drew with Stallion 2-2.

Global tap Manson as new head coach.

Amid reports that Azkals Coach Michael Weiss is bidding adieu to the Philippines, another new coach has been handed the reins of another top Pinoy side.

Global has not renewed the contract of its 2013 coach, Brian Reid, and in his place is another Scot, Leigh Manson.

The 46-year old Edinburgh native has been helping out with Global and the U23 Azkals recently as part of a consultancy deal with Nike. But now Manson's role becomes more permanent. And he makes no bones about his philosophy for his new club.

If the players don't work hard off the ball then they can't play beautiful Football. If we work harder than our opponents then Global will win nearly all our games. We have an extremely talented squad.”

Manson has been living in Japan for the past eight years, working with Total Football Japan, where he was privileged to work with top clubs like Barcelona and Manchester United. Manson founded the Total Football outfit 20 years ago.

ALSO READ: Why Azkals coach Weiss had to go.

The Scot played as a holding midfielder with Scottish clubs like Gretna and Queen of the South, where his predecessor, Reid, also played. Apart from his experience with Total Football, Manson has also worked with the Scottish Women's national team and the Richmond Kickers of the USA's second tier . This is his first head coaching stint in a coaching career spanning over two decades. Manson is a UEFA-licensed coach.

Joining Manson with Global will be Jorge Kuriyama, the Mexican goalkeeper coach who was also part of the Nike consultancy deal with the U23s. Kuriyama is a full-blooded Mexican who adopted the surname of his Japanese stepfather and has also been living in Japan for a long time. Manson believes he is the finest keeper coach in the Philippines.

Manson says Global's nutrition and conditioning staff has also been beefed up.

Global hopes to rebound from a disappointing 2013, when they failed to capture any silverware despite joining five major competitions plus the UFL pre-season.

Charley Pettys, a 21-year old Fil-American from Columbus, Ohio, joins the squad and should add some attacking flair. Pettys is widely expected to join the Azkals soon.

Manson says Carlie de Murga, who mangled his ACL in the preseason, may rejoin Global as early as late February. The Azkal has been rehabbing his knee in Spain.

In one aspect, Manson will certainly be an improvement over his predecessor. Unlike Reid, who spoke with an inscrutable Glaswegian brogue, Manson's lilting Edinburgh accent is far more easily understood.

Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.