John Gutierrez

In this Philippine name, the family name is Gutierrez.
Not to be confused with Jon Gutierrez.
John Gutierrez
President of the Philippine Football Federation
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 25, 2023
Preceded byMariano Araneta
Personal details
Born
John Anthony Gutierrez

(1977-03-23) March 23, 1977 (age 47)
NationalityFilipino
OccupationBusinessman, sports administrator

John Anthony Gutierrez (born March 23, 1977[1][2]) is a Filipino businessman and sports executive. He is the president of the Philippine Football Federation since November 2023.

Career

Business

Gutierrez is the president of Air Juan, a charter airline which operates in the Philippines.[3][4] The airline has been operational since 2012.[5]

Sports administration

Pachanga

Pachanga, a club which competed in the defunct United Football League was owned by Gutierrez.[6]

PFF President

Affiliated with the Bukidnon Football Association, Gutierrez was elected as president of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) on November 25, 2023, succeeding Mariano Araneta.[7][8] He received 30 out of 36 votes, outbesting Filbert Alquiros of Stallion Laguna, and Henry Sabate of Davao-South RFA.[9] He pledged the continuity of Araneta's program as well as expressed his intent to prioritize with the grassroots football program in the Philippines.[9]

Gutierez appointed Freddy Gonzales as director of the PFF's national teams while maintaining patron Jeff Cheng as manager of the Philippines women's national team.[10] Cheng led the in its 2022 AFF Women's Championship title and 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup maiden campaign.[11] Dan Palami stepped down from his role as team manager of the Philippine national team, and subsequently the PFF abandoned the "Azkals" moniker.[12][13]

However Cheng departed from his role in June 2024. The president maintained that the PFF tried to negotiate with Cheng but the latter left due to "situation that is not workable".[11][14]

In May 2024, the Philippines was awarded hosting rights for the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in 2025.[15][16] As part of the host's preparation, the 2024 ASEAN Women's Futsal Championship was held – the first international tournament under the Gutierrez administration.[17]

In October 2024, the PFF launched the Football Starts At Home (FSAH) grassroots program which aims to promote football among children.[18]

He declared the men's national team campaign at the 2024 ASEAN Championship as the best ever after the Philippines' returned to the semifinals of the regional tournament – winning its first leg match against Thailand (2–1) and its second leg match going into extra time with the same opponent before losing 1–3.[19]

The PFF's scheduling for an earlier training camp for the women's national futsal team in late December 2024 than what head coach Vic Hermans scheduled caused controversy. Hermans was realigned with the men's futsal program causing players to threaten resignation. This also caused a rift with futsal patron Danny Moran who initially wrote to Gutierrez to reconsider the move. Nevertheless a new squad was formed led by Spanish coach Rafa Merino for the 2025 AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers in January 2025.[20][21]

References

  1. ^ Pedralvez, Bong (November 26, 2023). "New PFF head aims to hit ground running". Malaya Business Insight. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  2. ^ "Happy Birthday John Gutierrez - PFF President". Philippine Football Federation. March 23, 2024. Archived from the original on January 9, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025 – via Instagram.
  3. ^ Abatayo, Rosalie; Silva, Victor Anthony (August 2, 2017). "Flights to Bantayan to boost Cebu island's tourism sector". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily News. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  4. ^ Nicolas, Jino; Marcelo, Patrizia Paola (August 17, 2017). "Air Juan targets higher capacity in next 5 years". BusinessWorld. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  5. ^ Andrade, Jeannette (February 20, 2016). "Mining magnate's firm licensed to rent planes–CAAP". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  6. ^ Terrado, Reuben (November 26, 2023). "John Anthony Gutierrez succeeds Nonong Araneta as PFF president". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  7. ^ Terrado, Jonas (November 26, 2023). "Big shoes to fill as Gutierrez succeeds Araneta". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  8. ^ Leyba, Olmin (November 26, 2023). "Gutierrez elected new PFF head". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "New PFF president to prioritize youth, grassroots dev't". ABS-CBN News. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  10. ^ Villanueva, Ralph Edwin (January 11, 2024). "Gonzalez appointed director of Philippine national football teams". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  11. ^ a b Del Carmen, Lorenzo (July 1, 2024). "PFF prexy Gutierrez: 'Federation wanted to discuss, but Jeff Cheng resigned'". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  12. ^ "Palami to step down as Philippines team manager". Asean Football Federation. January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  13. ^ Leyba, Olmin (February 26, 2024). "Philippine men's football team drops 'Azkals' tag, names new coach". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  14. ^ Manicad, Julius (June 24, 2024). "Cheng steps down as Filipinas manager". Daily Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  15. ^ "FIFA Council approves Women's International Match Calendar 2026-2029" (Press release). FIFA. May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  16. ^ "FIFA President and Philippine Football Federation President look forward to inaugural FIFA Women's Futsal World Cup 2025™". FIFA. August 7, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  17. ^ "PH to host inaugural 2024 AFF Women's Futsal Championships". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 2, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  18. ^ "PFF goes deep into grassroots with family". The Philippine Star. October 15, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  19. ^ "Best PH campaign in ASEAN: Valiant PMNFT stretches champ Thailand to extra time - Philippine Football Federation". Philippine Football Federation. December 31, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  20. ^ Olivares, Rick (January 2, 2025). "Philippine women's futsal in row leading to AFC qualifiers". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  21. ^ Terrado, Jonas (January 8, 2025). "Controversy trails PH women's team bound for Asian qualifiers". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2025.