Gilbert Agius named national team interim coach

Alessandro Zinnari promoted to senior team’ technical set-up

Gilbert Agius has been promoted as the interim national team coach for the upcoming friendlies against Greece and Ireland this month.

This was announced by Malta Football Association president Bjorn Vassallo during the General Assembly held at the Centenary Hall in Ta’ Qali.  

Agius, the Malta Under 21 national coach, will step in for Italian coach Devis Mangia who on Monday stepped down from his post after he was facing accusations of improper conduct by two national team players last September.

Alessandro Zinnari, who is working as Technical Coordinator and Scouting in the MFA Technical Centre, will join the senior national team set-up and will work with Davide Mazzotta for the two warm-up matches against Greece, November 17, and Ireland, three days later.

“I would like to announce that for the upcoming friendlies, scheduled for this month, Gilbert Agius has been promoted as the interim national team coach,” Vassallo told the club delegates.

“Alessandro Zinnari will also be promoted to the technical staff of the national team and will work alongside Davide Mazzotta to prepare the team for these two friendly matches.

“Once these matches, are played the Malta FA will then have ample time to step up our search for a new national teams’ head coach to fill the void left by Mangia.

“I would like to make it clear that the Malta FA has no plans to abandon its technical project and we are committed to find the right person that can lead our project forward.”