English football coach Simon McMenemy is leaning toward returning to the Philippine Team despite offers from various clubs in Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia.

Along with team manager Dan Palami, McMenemy steered the Azkals to a maiden semifinal appearance in the AFF Suzuki Cup, where they saw their run ended by Indonesia.

McMenemy, who led a PH coaching staff that also includes local mentors Edwin Cabalida, Edzel Bracamonte and Roroy Pinero, came in as a replacement for Des Bulpin in September.

He was on an eight-week trial, but his stint was extended as the Filipinos advanced further in the Suzuki Cup.

Under McMenemy, the squad logged three wins, five draws and three losses in three tournaments—the Long Teng
Cup in Taiwan, the AFF Suzuki Cup Qualifying tournament in Laos and the AFF Suzuki Cup main tournament in Vietnam and Indonesia.

“I would like to come back but it depends on the team,” said the 33-year-old McMenemy.
Palami, who has bankrolled the team, was non-committal when asked about McMenemy’s status.

He said all players and members of the staff will be evaluated before they start preparing for the AFC Challenge Cup in February next year.

The Azkals will face Mongolia in a home-and-away tie starting Feb. 9. They are also seeing action in the qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The team was also invited to join the Vietnam Football Federation Cup and the SEA Games preliminary tournament.
As the Azkals look forward to more tournaments next year, Palami said his main concern is to improve the team.

He hinted a “few changes” in the team to have a deeper bench and improve our attack.
But Palami said the core of the team will remain.

“We just need to add few more options just to allow Phil (Younghusband) and the other guys to attack more seamlessly,” Palami stressed. “We need to improve on attack.”

Cedelf Tupas, Phil. Daily Inquirer