DistantNews
Support us
Panama FA leaves door open for coach Thomas Christiansen's continuity
🇵🇦 Panama /Sports

Panama FA leaves door open for coach Thomas Christiansen's continuity

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Panamanian Football Federation (FPF) is considering retaining coach Thomas Christiansen.
  • Christiansen's contract expired in June, but the FPF president called him an "important option" for the national team.
  • A decision is pending the FPF's board elections in December, as the new leadership will have the final say.

The Panamanian Football Federation (FPF) is keeping the door open for coach Thomas Christiansen to continue leading the national team. FPF President Manuel Arias stated Friday that Christiansen remains an "important option" despite his contract expiring last June.

We want to continue with that project model.

— Manuel AriasPresident of the Panamanian Football Federation, expressing a desire to maintain the current coaching structure.

"We want to continue with that project model," Arias emphasized during a press conference. He expressed the federation's satisfaction with Christiansen's work since his arrival in 2020 and indicated a desire to maintain the established working structure. "The Federation believes in the project. What we don't want is to mortgage the future," he added.

However, a final decision is contingent upon the FPF's upcoming board elections scheduled for December. "The political aspect implies that in December there will be elections, and we don't know who will be on the board of directors and whether the executive committee and selection committees will remain or not," Arias explained. The incoming leadership will ultimately decide the technical direction.

The Federation believes in the project. What we don't want is to mortgage the future.

— Manuel AriasPresident of the Panamanian Football Federation, explaining the federation's cautious approach to decision-making.

Despite the uncertainty, Arias confirmed that Christiansen is a strong candidate for a new process aimed at qualifying for the 2030 World Cup. "Thomas has shown in various ways that he loves Panama and that Panama loves Thomas," he remarked. The federation has not been notified of any external offers for the coach.

The political aspect implies that in December there will be elections, and we don't know who will be on the board of directors and whether the executive committee and selection committees will remain or not.

— Manuel AriasPresident of the Panamanian Football Federation, detailing the reasons for the delay in the coaching decision.

Jaime Penedo, an advisor for the FPF's Technical Development Department, acknowledged satisfaction with Christiansen's performance but noted the need for "some adjustments." The federation aims to appoint a coach who can enhance player development and adhere to the institution's adopted style of play, ensuring they find a coach aligned with their vision for the team's future.

Thomas has shown in various ways that he loves Panama and that Panama loves Thomas.

— Manuel AriasPresident of the Panamanian Football Federation, highlighting the positive relationship between the coach and the country.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog