Alfonso Greco has left Sliema Wanderers by mutual agreement, just seven games into the 2014/15 Premier League season.
As reported by Times of Malta, the Sliema Wanderers committee had been discussing Greco’s position in light of the team’s low-key start to the season.
After failing to win in their opening five league matches, Sliema claimed back-to-back wins over newly-promoted sides Pieta Hotspurs and Zebbug Rangers but their below-par performances only served to add to the club officials’ concerns about the team’s stuttering form.
Keith Perry, the Sliema Wanderers FC president, confirmed that the club and Greco had decided to go separate ways.
“We have terminated the contract of head coach Alfonso Greco by mutual agreement,” Perry told Times of Malta.
“The decision was difficult but after a thorough discussion, we concluded that a change was needed.”
Although Sliema have climbed out of the bottom places in the standings after their wins over Pieta and Zebbug, it is understood that the heavy 5-0 defeat to Valletta last month precipitated Greco’s exit.
Greco twice steered Sliema to a place in the Europa League since taking charge of the team in 2012.
The Wanderers are now expected to draw up a shortlist of candidates for the post.
The indications are that the Blues will be looking to appoint a Maltese coach with Stephen Azzopardi, who led the Blues in the past, among the front-runners.
Greco’s exit from Sliema comes only a day after Winston Muscat was fired by Naxxar Lions.
Jesmond Zerafa, the former Tarxien Rainbows, Qormi, Valletta and Balzan coach, has taken over from Muscat at Naxxar.