Sciriha injects 'City blood' as Zerafa eyes first title

After experimenting with the Dutch formula, Valletta FC have turned to two former club stalwarts to spearhead the team's quest for success next season as Jesmond Zerafa and Leonard Farrugia were yesterday officially presented as the new coach and assistant coach respectively.

Having been greeted with a warm applause by some City fans who turned up for yesterday's news conference in the club's board room, Valletta president Victor Sciriha pledged his full co-operation to the new technical team.

"We have decided to change our technical staff for next season," Sciriha said. "The club felt the need to inject City blood into our coaching team and this was one of the main reasons we opted for Jesmond Zerafa and Leonard Farrugia.

"Zerafa agreed to become our new coach in a matter of minutes. I promise Zerafa, Farrugia and Jesmond Zammit (Valletta's new team manager) the full support and co-operation of the club committee."

"This club has given me a lot," Zerafa, who masterminded Qormi's rise to the upper reaches of the Premier League only to resign in the final weeks of last season, said. "The time I spent playing for Valletta has made me the person I am. When the president approached me to become the club's head coach, I couldn't refuse."

Zerafa is unperturbed by the high pressures of his new job.

"There is always big pressure on the Valletta coach but I'm under no pressure," Zerafa remarked. "If I didn't have the players to match the club's ambitions, then I would feel the heat but that is not the case because the squad features some of the best elements of Maltese football.

"I have taken this job with the aim of winning my first league as coach."

Farrugia echoed Zerafa's sentiments as he spoke about his pride at becoming the assistant coach of a club where he made a name for himself as a player.

Under Dutch coach Ton Caanen, Valletta clinched the National League 100 Anniversary Cup and the U*Bet FA Trophy but lost out to rivals Birkirkara in the race for the BOV Premier League title.

Irregularities claim

Sciriha said the committee was not to blame for the team's failure to deliver the championship.

"It's not our fault that Valletta didn't win the league title," Sciriha, who bemoaned the below-par contribution of the club's foreign players, said.

"The format of the league is a farce because Valletta had the best record but finished second.

"There were also certain matches that raised doubts. I was pleased to hear the MFA president (Joe Mifsud) say the other day that the association is about to conclude its inquiry into a particular match (Birkirkara vs Hibs, second round Championship Pool).

"We believe that there were a number of irregularities in the said game (Birkirkara beat Hibs 5-4 after being 4-1 down at one point) and this is why we have written a letter to the MFA and the police about the matter.

"The authorities have received several anonymous letters (containing allegations of bribery in local football) but I signed the letters we sent to the MFA and the police because that's my responsibility as Valletta FC president.

"I hope the MFA and the police take the necessary steps on this issue."

Sciriha is also hopeful that further discussions with the MFA will lead to a compromise about the training schedule of the national team players after Valletta's decision to introduce their own semi-professional scheme caused some friction with the national coaches last season.

Valletta are again expected to assume a leading role in the transfer market over the next few weeks with Sciriha and Zerafa claiming that their aim is to recruit three to four top-level foreign players plus two Maltese signings.

Sciriha revealed that Valletta, who will be holding a training camp in Gozo between June 14 and 18, are closing in on a host of transfer targets but stopped short of disclosing their names.

The Valletta president did say however that they have already lined up Omonige Temile, the brother of Nigerian starlet Frank Temile, as a potential replacement for Cameroonian winger Doding Priso who is expected to join a foreign club.

Priso, whose excellent solo strike in the 2-0 victory over Sliema in April won him the best goal accolade at the Malta Football Awards, is the subject of interest from AEK Larnaca and Hertha Berlin.

A Brazilian striker who last season played in his country's top league, is expected to join Valletta for a trial tomorrow but Sciriha said the foreign players will only be offered a permanent contract after the team's Europa League commitments.

Michael Mifsud scored a number of crucial goals during his three-month spell with Valletta but Sciriha has all but given up hope of persuading the Malta striker to stay with the Citizens.

"Michael thoroughly enjoyed his time with Valletta FC but his wish is to continue his career abroad," Sciriha said.