Freddy Gonzalez has officially stepped down from his leadership position with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), where he served as the senior national teams director and men’s national team manager.
The PFF confirmed his resignation on Tuesday. Gonzalez cited a desire to explore other personal and professional endeavors.
“It’s been one of the greatest honors of my life to be part of this team,” he said in a heartfelt statement. “This decision wasn’t easy—it came after much reflection.”
A former Philippine national team player, Gonzalez joined PFF leadership in January 2024. Under his guidance, the men’s national team achieved a historic milestone by reaching the 2024 ASEAN Championship semifinals and securing a landmark win over Thailand—their first in 52 years.
He expressed deep gratitude to the players for their dedication and praised their role in transforming team culture. “They’ve made a lasting impact on Philippine football. I’ll be cheering for them from the sidelines,” he said.
PFF President John Gutierrez thanked Gonzalez for his service and promised to carry on his framework for the national team. “We remain committed to building on the foundation Fred established and will continue supporting our programs to ensure lasting progress,” Gutierrez stated.
Gonzalez’s departure follows a draw with Tajikistan in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and the earlier resignation of head coach Albert Capellas. Assistant manager Mikkel Paris will also step down from his post.