JEAN ‘El Salvador’ de los Reyes is one of the more than 40 persons who lost their jobs after FC Manila Meralco folded up early this month.
But the left footed midfielder from the town of El Salvador Misamis Oriental remains hopeful that someday he will be back to play professional football again.
Unlike other players who do not have a fall back when they lose their jobs, Jean is a license teacher and right now is stayng with hi parents in El Salvador trying to think what he will do next with his carreer.
“It has not sank in yet. I love playing football,’’ said the 26-year-old Capitol University graduate. He added that he is jobless as of the moment and he is having to difficulty looking for a job because the announcement of FCMM to fold up came very late.
He could have looked for other teams to play this season if they were informed earlier. He also could not work as a teacher yet because it is January and there are no job openings as of the moment.
However, he remains positive and is helping train some kids in his hometown to play the beautiful game. El Salavador has a decent football stadium and has in fact been very active in local tournaments.
The town also employs an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) C License coach Edwin Dagdagan who trains the young footballers of the town where the biggest statue of Jesus Christ is located.
Jean was recruited by FCMM coach Aris Caslib last season from Pasargad FC in the United Football League. He however was used sparingly but was very hopeful that he could have an improved playing time this season until FCMM announced its folding up early this month.
The son of Rachel and Edgar de los Reyes played with his idols the Younghusband brothers James and Phil during the early part of the 2017 season. Phil and James however moved to Davao Aguilas on free transfer during the transfer window.
He was described by football scribe Bob Guerrero as a fighter. He still has a bright future playing professional football but with fewer teams this season in the PFL, he will just have to wait for his next oppurtunity.