Grazzi Zazu! Malta Football Association Will Not Be Renewing The Head Coach’s Contract
The MFA has decided not to renew national head coach Ray Farrugia’s contract following the conclusion of a disappointing Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
“The Malta FA Bureau has decided not to renew the contract of national coach Ray Farrugia and the national team’s technical staff beyond the expiry on 31st December, 2019,” the organisation stated in their official statement.
“The Malta FA would like to place on record its gratitude and appreciation for the work carried out by Farrugia and his coaching staff, namely assistant coach Branko Nisevic, second assistant Ronald Vella, Charles Sciberras, the goalkeepers’ coach, and fitness coach Luca Pagani, during their time with the national team.”
MFA made the decision in line with its long-term strategic program to improve the standard of the national team through enhanced football development.
In light of this, the organisation also outlined their three major projects moving forward:
- The creation of a professional football team that will compete in an overseas professional championship
- The setting up of the Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation, a new structure setup to organise and support football at grassroots and youth levels and contribute to the community through football
- Define a unified and consolidated game strategy for national teams at all levels
Ray Farrguia was appointed national head coach on 2 May 2018. His tenure as head coach saw just one win, four draws and thirteen losses. MFA has yet to announce who will be replacing Ray as the national team’s head coach.
Despite his poor win percentage, the football team’s branch of ultra supporters have taken to Facebook to express their gratitude to Ray Farrugia, noting how he was instrumental in introducing younger players into the national team and gave them the opportunity to celebrate a win at home against the Faroe Islands during the European Qualifiers.
“Someone who has Maltese football in his heart and who has always shown great respect towards the supporters.”
Thanks for your service, Zazu.