FILIPINO football legend Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong has a new job.
He will now coach the Perpetual Help college team in the coming National Collegiate Athletic Association season.
The acquisition comes amidst efforts by the school to win its first football crown in the league after more than two decades.
Caligdong, who retired from national team duties four years ago, has taken over the reins from Aaron Carlos Nebreja.
The university hopes that Caligdong's presence will improver the Altas' performance.
The Las Pinas-based booters last won two NCAA football titles in 1989 and 1996
After that, the Altas have experience a title drought for the last 22 years.
“A legend like Chieffy Caligdong could help us revive out football program and possibly win us an NCAA championship if not this year, but in the near future,” said Perpetual Help team owner Dr. Antonio Tamayo.
Caligdong's career started in the 2004 Tiger Cup, where he played four matches and scored three goals.
He has also played for the Philippines' U-23 at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games and in the pre-SEA Games tournament where he scored against Myanmar and Timor-Leste.
Four years ago, Caligdong announced his retirement from international football, citing issues on maintaining his fitness and plans to focus more on his club.