PFF names Filipina5 head coach Merino as technical director

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has officially appointed Philippine women’s national futsal team head coach Rafa Merino as its new Technical Director, ushering in a new phase in the federation’s long-term development strategy anchored on grassroots growth, coaching education, and integrated player pathways.

A respected futsal tactician from Barcelona, Spain, Merino brings a wealth of experience from across Europe, having coached extensively in Spain and spending a season in England’s National Futsal League. His technical background is reinforced by a UEFA level 3 coaching license from the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

Merino takes over the role following the tenure of fellow Barcelona native Josep Ferre, who played a key role in strengthening the federation’s development framework and was instrumental in bringing Merino into Philippine football as head coach of the Philippine women’s national futsal team in December 2024.

As head coach of the Filipina5, Merino quickly made a significant impact. Under his leadership, the team qualified for its first-ever AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup finals in May 2025 following an impressive campaign that included victories over Kuwait and Turkmenistan and a draw against erstwhile world number 20 Uzbekistan.

The team also competed in the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, where they showed competitiveness on the global stage, scoring against both Morocco and world No. 6 Argentina.

Regionally, Merino guided the team back to the semifinals of the Southeast Asian Games for the first time in 18 years and steered the squad to a historic win against Myanmar and a draw against Australia in the 2026 ASEAN Women’s Futsal Championship.

PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez welcomed the appointment, emphasizing its strategic importance.

“Rafa has already demonstrated his ability to elevate our futsal program and deliver results at both the regional and international levels. His appointment as Technical Director reflects our confidence in his vision and our determination to modernize the philosophy of Philippine football and foundational development of Filipino youth players through a more cohesive and forward-looking development structure. And in PFF’s push for modernization–anchored on our current initiative of implementing 8v8 and small-sided football for young players–Merino’s futsal acumen is highly instrumental,” Gutierrez said.

In his new role, Merino is expected to oversee the federation’s broader football philosophy, aligning youth development programs, national team structures, and coaching education initiatives under a unified technical vision.

Central to Merino’s philosophy is the role of futsal as a critical component of player development. He highlighted that futsal environments naturally enhance decision-making, technical ability, and speed of execution — qualities essential in modern football.

“Futsal represents a very solid foundation for player development. It is an environment that naturally enhances key aspects such as decision-making in tight spaces, individual technique, and speed of execution,” Merino said.

He also underscored the adaptability of futsal, particularly in contexts where resources may be limited, noting that it provides an accessible yet highly effective platform for nurturing talent. Through initiatives such as the PFF Futsaliga, Merino aims to expand development opportunities while respecting each player’s pathway in the sport.

“This is a project that we approach with great enthusiasm,” he added. “We are aware that there is still room for improvement, but we are convinced that it can bring real and meaningful value to player development.”

The PFF continues to reinforce its commitment to building a sustainable football ecosystem that integrates futsal and football development, strengthens grassroots systems, and lays the groundwork for future national team success.