PNG Football Association sacks Warren Moon; refusal to relocate to Port Moresby led to contract termination

The Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) has parted ways with Warren Moon, the Australian coach of the national men’s football team. Moon, who took on the role in 2023, has been released from his contract after a short tenure that saw him lead the team through the 2023 Pacific Games and the OFC Nations Cup

The decision to terminate Moon’s contract was influenced by his refusal to relocate to Port Moresby, as required by the PNGFA to closely monitor the Kapuls‘ preparations. PNGFA President John Kapi Natto explained that the organization’s executive committee felt it was necessary for the national coach to reside in the country to effectively oversee and develop the team.

“We had to remove Warren Moon, our past national coach, because we asked him to come and live in the country and work with our national teams, prepare them for the World Cup qualifier….he couldn’t come,” Kapi Natto told NBC News. “Therefore, the ESCO member says, if a coach doesn’t want to live here, a technical person doesn’t want to live in the country, then we’ve got to remove him.”

Despite the challenges, Moon’s departure marks a new chapter for the Kapuls. PNGFA has already appointed a new coach, described by Kapi Natto as a familiar figure in the region. The incoming coach will be based in Port Moresby for a three-year term, with a focus on developing talent from youth to senior levels, as the team gears up for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Kapi Natto expressed optimism about the new coach’s potential impact, emphasizing the need for strong technical guidance to rejuvenate the national team’s performance. The new coach’s identity and specific plans for the team’s future are expected to be announced later this week.

Moon’s tenure with the PNGFA included guiding the Kapuls in international competitions, though the team faced setbacks, including a disappointing exit from the Pacific Games. The PNGFA hopes the new appointment will steer the team towards a more successful trajectory in the upcoming international fixtures.