Esteban named as Maharlika Manila FC’s new head coach

Maharlika Manila FC

Maharlika Manila FC is set to change things up in their current Philippines Football League campaign, making a change in their head coaching responsibilities.

Arman "Biboy" Esteban has been named as the new gaffer for the team, replacing Derick Keongil Kim after seven straight defeats to start off the current campaign.

Esteban played for the University of Santo Tomas, also serving as an assistant to current Tiger Booters mentor Marjo Allado. He also helmed Mapua's football program in the NCAA.

Lauren Bidias has also been tapped to serve as Esteban's assistant.

Aside from Esteban, Maharlika also revealed that they have snapped up three players that they believe they can help get the team going in defenders Lawrence Baguio and Alimar Job Ambong, as well as midfielder Jappeth Piñero.

All three players have Visayan roots and collegiate football experience in Manila.

Baguio is from Cebu and played for the College of Saint Benilde, with Ambong (Dumaguete) and Piñero (Bacolod) are Negrenses who were teammates at National University.

All three have national team experience, with the latter two also represented the Philippines in the AFF Under-19 Championships in Vietnam. Ambong had additional experience representing the country at the Under-18 level at Cambodia.

Baguio, on the other hand, was called up for national team duty in the 2019 AFF Under-22 campaign in Cambodia, as well as the 2020 AFC U23 qualifiers in Malaysia.

Maharlika hopes the new additions will help change the fortunes of the side, which is coming off a 1-0 defeat to Cebu FC earlier this week.

The club will face off against United City on October 1 after the international break.