Fitzel flattered by Maltese interest

Dusan Fitzel is flattered by the Malta FA’s interest in re-appointing him national team coach.

The Czech has emerged as the no.1 candidate to succeed John Buttigieg and MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo on Tuesday spoke in glowing terms about Fitzel’s credentials after the two held informal talks in Prague last month.

“It’s nice that people still look at me as someone who made a contribution to improve Maltese football,” Fitzel, who currently works as technical director of the Czech FA, told The Times from Prague yesterday.

“I’ve read that the president of the MFA spoke positively about me. I’m really pleased about that.

“I’m still thinking about my future but I have to say that I’m grateful to have received this opportunity because, in times like this, it’s not easy to get job offers, also in football.

“On the other hand, I’m presently in the Czech Republic and I have a job here.”

Fitzel had a three-and-a-half year spell at the helm of the national team between 2006 and 2009.

In his first two years in charge, he guided Malta to a string of excellent results in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, including a 2-1 home win over Hungary, and an overall tally of five points.

Malta failed to emulate their Euro 2008 performance in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers as they only managed a point, a goalless draw at home to Albania.

Fitzel relinquished his duties as Malta coach in July 2009 for health reasons and returned home the following October before taking up the post of technical director of his country’s FA.

Despite admitting that he is tempted by the prospect of resuming his coaching career as Malta mentor, the 48-year-old Fitzel first wants to speak with Miroslav Pelta, the newly-elected president of the Czech FA, before making a decision on his future.

“I was hoping to talk to our president but he has flown to the United States and won’t be back before the New Year,” Fitzel said.

“I want to consult him first before making a decision. I’d like to know his plans, whether he intends to bring in another person as tech-nical director or whether he wants me to continue in this role.

“It’s not an easy decision. Furthermore, I’ve become a mem-ber of the UEFA Jira Panel and this position is quite demanding. I’ve been travelling a lot lately but my work for UEFA is very interesting and rewarding.

“Nevertheless, I’m still open to the idea of returning as Malta coach.

“I’m a bit under pressure because I’m supposed to give the MFA an answer at the beginning of January but I have to wait for the outcome of my discussions with the Czech FA president before deciding.

“The MFA have also said that there is no need to rush.

“Robert Gatt will take charge of the team for the friendly against Liechtenstein in February and the match after that will be in June.

“So, there’s plenty of time.”

Regardless of whether he accepts the MFA’s offer, Fitzel plans to move back to Malta one day.

“At some point in my life, I will be back,” Fitzel said.

“I may return when I retire or to work there in the future, maybe in the coming months or in a few years’ time. I’m certain that I will return, the question is when.”