Italian Carmine Ferrara, yesterday unveiled as the new president of Division One outfit Msida St Joseph, made it clear that his ambition is to secure a sound future for the club.
The last few years have been rather difficult for the Saints. Since their demotion from the Premier League in 2009, Msida have been hit by financial difficulties that has seen them slide into Division Two.
However, last season the 2005 FA Trophy finalists started to find their feet again and got promoted to Division One.
Last week, former club president Joe Demarco and his committee held talks with businessman Ferrara who accepted to take up the new challenge.
“My management style is completely different to that of others who operate here in Malta,” Ferrara said.
“I’m no Abramovich who spends millions of euros to secure immediate success. My vision is to introduce new initiatives aimed at helping the club develop into a solid organisation that is financially self-sufficient and can attract a variety of sponsors.”
Msida endured a difficult start to the campaign. Todor Raykov’s team are second bottom with just one point from three matches.
Asked on his team’s ambitions for the new season, Ferrara said: “Our aim is to gradually improve. Msida have failed to win any of their three matches so far but I’m confident that results will improve.
“The coach has 10 days to prepare for our next match. We have brought in a couple of new faces and hopefully they can help to lift the team to higher positions.”
Msida have just completed the transfers of three Italian players – Ariel Laudisi, who last season was on the books of Sliema Wanderers, Daniele De Luca and Pellegrino Albanese.
They join Brazilian striker Jose Luis Nogueira and Othniel Carrion Bouagba, who also holds an Italian passport. Physical trainer Daniele Angeloni, who last season worked for Valletta FC, has also joined Msida.
Demarco said Ferrara was the right man to lead Msida St Joseph.
“After three years as president of this club I felt we needed someone who could take us a step higher,” Demarco said.
“When I spoke with Carmine, I immediately felt that he was the right man for the job. His vision and expertise is what our club needs at the moment.
“The change in administration does not mean I will take a back seat as I will continue to give my contribution to this club.”