Alvarez steps down as coach of newly-UFL Div 1 side Jeepney FC

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Alvarez steps down as coach of newly-UFL Div 1 side Jeepney FC

by rick olivares

Barely a month after Manila Jeepney FC was promoted to the United Football League’s Division One, its first year head coach Kale Alvarez stepped down.

Manila Jeepney finished second in the UFL’s Division Two behind champions Ceres-La Salle. According to the 31-year old Alvarez he is relinquishing his head coaching duties to pursue his coaching license. “It wasn’t an easy decision but the license is a must and it will help me grow as a coach. It will also open up more opportunities for me.”

In its first year of existence, Alvarez guided the Division Two squad composed of a diverse mix of former college stars from Ateneo, FEU, La Salle, and UST aided by former Pasargad defender Jaham Taher and former Loyola Meralco Sparks goalkeeper Ref Cuaresma and midfielder Jake Morallo, to a 16-1-5 record. “I am proud of what the boys achieved. That we were able to accomplish the promotion in our first year of existence is huge.”

In his only other head coaching job in the UFL, Alvarez also led Kaya to a second place finish in league play two years ago where they tied champion Global on point but lost on goal difference.

Alvarez played for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons where he was a part of their UAAP Men’s Football champion team of 2001-02. He also briefly played for Brisbane Olympic in the State League of Brisbane, Australia.