RICK FIGUEIREDO - THOUGHTS FROM A BRASILIAN COACH

This is Rick Figueiredo. My name has been mentioned in connection several times with replacing Simon McMenemy. A few things should be cleared at this point.Back in August, before Desmond Bulpin even became coach I contacted Mari Martinez about becoming the Philippines Head Coach. I had two reasons forwanting to become involved in this endeavour. The first is that through fortunate circumstances, I have been part of a number of highly successful coaching staffs including going to the World Cup in 1998 with Jamaica, and I thought that this experience would be a positive influence on the Philippine team and program. The second point is that from 1962 through 1969 I lived inthe Philippines and went to school there at Ateneo and also at the American School. So it seemed like a positive thing for all of us. The fact that the country ranked very low in this sport also intrigued me. Itwas an opportunity to put the country on the map. Pure and simple. There vere no alterior motives. Unfortunately, in August the PFF and I were unable to come to a financial compensation package that worked for both sides. I have expenses in the USA that I needed to cover and could not afford for my family and myself to put myself in a financially disadvantages position. We continued to work onthis and in October I came to the Philippines to present myself in person, for a possible future position. My strengths are honesty and integrity and I am an exceptional motivator, and I believe that these characteristics and my longterm vision proved to be significant to those I met. Understand that at no time was it my intention to replace Simon and that I fully support his retention ashead coach of the team and have throughout the Suzuki Cup. He has done a magnificient job with the team along with Dan Palami and should be rewarded with an extension. I also believe that Mari Martinez has made his ownc ontribution to this process and regardless of the ending to his story, we needto give him some credit. This is not to say that I am not still interested inthe position. I am, however, far more interested in being Technical Director ofthe entire Philippine National Program. My time perhaps will come. My vision back in August of 2010 was to take the Philippines to the World Cup. This was my vision in 1997 with Jamaica and while working with Brasil during the 1994 World Cup I came to understand the blueprint necessary to do it again for the Philippines. But for now I return to my own futebol endeavours. I have manyvery good causes which I dedicate my time to, including training young childrenas I believe they are the ones who will change the future for the better. I feel for Mari Martinez because I have met him and liked him and will not deny this because he has fallen, but I have no desire to get involved in his political situations because I am a futebol coach and not a politician or a businessman.I wish him well as a person. If he has done wrong I believe we should forgive him. I have spoken to him briefly about this. I advised Mari during the crisis that he should accept those who oppose him and bring them into the decision circle so that an amicable solution could be found. After all, we all work notfor ourselves alone. We all work for the the greater cause of growth and improvement of the Philippines. It is our mission to bring joy and hope to themillions of Filipino people. There is no more gratifying reward as I learned from the Jamaicans after we qualified for the World Cup. I would walk the streets and celebrate with the fans. Moments that have defined my purpose inlife. It is not all so complicated. Perhaps one day I will be honered and invited to come back to a country that I love, to offer my services and experience. For now it is clear that we must put these dreams and visions onthe shelf. Simon McMenemy is your coach and should remain your coach until hisrun is over. That is the fair thing to do. The right thing to do! I wish all well and thank you for this brief moment to express my thoughts to your readers. RICK FIGUEIREDO - brasil@rickfigueiredo.com