Michele Marcolini succeeds Devis Mangia as Malta national teams’ head coach

The Malta FA has announced the appointment of Michele Marcolini as the new Malta national teams’ head coach, the local governing body of football announced.

The 47-year-old Italian coach has agreed personal terms with the Malta Football Association and has put pen to paper on a contract until the end of 2024.

Marcolini will succeed Devis Mangia, who stepped down from his post last October, and apart from his duties as national teams’ head coach he will also be responsible for the technical project launched by the Malta FA three years ago.

Marcolini, who boasts a UEFA Pro Licence, enjoyed a distinguished career as a player as he was on the books of Serie A sides Torino, Bari, Atalanta and Chievo Verona.

Marcolini has coached several Serie B and C teams and won the Coppa Italia Serie C with Alessandria in season 2017-18. 

Commenting on Marcolini’s appointment as national coach, Malta FA president Bjorn Vassallo said: “We are very pleased that Michele Marcolini has accepted our offer to become the new National Teams Head Coach.

“We have gone through a thorough process to arrive at this decision. His profile fits the requirements set by the association, focused on the long-term development of our elite football players.

“The Malta FA’s priority is to ensure that its technical project proceeds as planned in line with our strategy to achieve a unified game philosophy for all the National teams.”

Michele Marcolini will be joined by Davide Mandelli as assistant coach.

Mandelli is also a former player who started his football career with Monza, and then moved on to play for Serie A and Serie B clubs Torino, Siena and Chievo Verona.

Following retirement, he followed Marcolini’s footsteps and assisted him in a number of clubs where he worked as a football manager. Mandelli will join the current technical staff as of January 1.

Marcolini’s first major appointment will be to guide the national team for next year’s UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers where Malta were drawn in a tough group alongside European champions Italy, England, North Macedonia and Ukraine.