(UPDATED) Terry Butcher, the former England captain tapped in June to coach the Philippine men's national football team, will no longer coach the Azkals, he has told the UK news agency Press Association.

Former England captain Terry Butcher has told Press Association Sport that he will not be taking up the reins as Philippines head coach 🇵🇭

— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) August 2, 2018

Terry Butcher's explanation as to why he will not be taking up his first role in international management with the Philippines 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/vLWbF2G0EL

— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) August 2, 2018

In a statement released Friday morning, the Philippine Football Federation said that it "accepts with understanding the announcement of Coach Terry Butcher not to proceed as head coach" of the Azkals.

"We wish Mr. Butcher good luck," the organization said.

In the wake of Butcher's decision, the PFF says it will continue to prepare for the Azkals' upcoming stints in the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup in November, and the AFC Asian Cup in January 2019.

In a separate statement, Azkals team manager Dan Palami said that they "understand and respect" Butcher's decision.

"As manager of the national team, I was looking forward to working with Mr. Butcher as we build a strong team for the country's first Asian Cup," Palami said. "It is unfortunate, however, that Mr. Butcher expressed difficulty in executing his plans for the national team program."

With Butcher's decision, Scott Cooper – a team adviser for the Azkals – will be handling the team's preparations for its upcoming tournaments.

"We remain focused on getting the best preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup and the AFC Asian Cup," Palami stressed.

Butcher's arrival in the country had been held off for weeks because the announcement of his hiring coincided with the monthlong World Cup, which he covered for the BBC.

“I see a lot of work ahead of us, but it will be fun work. It will be exciting work,” he had said in a video call from his broadcast duties in Moscow, a day after Philippine football officials confirmed that Butcher landed the job.

Butcher was supposed to replace Thomas Dooley, a former US team captain who steered the Azkals to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, the Philippines' first ever berth in the continental competition. -- With a report from Camille Naredo, ABS-CBN News

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)