Michele Marcolini And Manuela Tesse Appointed New Head Coaches Of Malta’s Men And Women’s National Football Teams
The new head coaches for Malta’s men’s and women’s football teams are hopeful for the sports’ future in their first public showing together
Michele Marcolini and Manuela Tesse were presented to the media in a conference held at the Centenary Hall, Ta’ Qali.
The appointments come after the local football community was rocked following former head coach Devis Mangia’s resignation in the wake of allegations of alleged sexual advances on at least one national football player. Well-informed sources later told Lovin Malta that at least two others wanted to come forward since the claims were made public.
In the presentation, Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo stressed the importance of having one unified football philosophy all throughout the men’s and women’s national teams.
“It is why both coaches will not only be taking care of the national A teams but 80% of their work will be focussing on the grassroots to elite path,” Vassallo said.
He continued to explain that Maltese football might offer a different perspective to the beautiful game, saying that Malta had its own unique dynamics and he hoped that both coaches adapt easily and quickly.
Marcolini spoke of his pride at being appointed as the Malta men’s National Teams Head Coach, as he reflected on the exacting challenge of getting the maximum from a group of players who have improved considerably in the past years.
He explained that he will build on the good work that has been done so far by his predecessor in the Malta national teams and inject some of his ideas to hopefully better the performances.
Marcolini emphasised that his first target is to strengthen the team with the values that have shaped him throughout his life; education, respect and sacrifice. He believes that a team that is built on these values will perform better and show the aggressiveness and will that is needed to succeed.
He went on to explain that despite never being a national team coach, one has to start from somewhere. However he explained that during his football years he has gained experiences off and on the pitch which will help him make an impact on the local scene as well.
The MFA then said the woman’s head coach Tesse has “shown a willingness to listen to her squad and, as a player who won 87 caps for Italy, she can relate to them”.
Tesse was born and bred in Sardinia and started her first steps in football on the island. This meant having to overcome a series of obstacles whereas in these times football opportunities for women were few and far between. However, she believes that her strong will has helped her strive in her career.
Being an islander, she is already feeling at home in Malta, saying she knows that Maltese women’s football has improved a lot recently and had words of praise for the Maltese players that are currently playing abroad and as those players she.
“I am extremely proud to be appointed Malta national Team’s Head coach,” Tesse said. “However, my target is now to group the girls together and work hard with them to achieve our target, which is to pass from Group C to B.”
Photo credits: MFA
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