Dusan Fitzel is not stepping down from his position as Malta coach after all. The Czech mentor yesterday dispelled the uncertainty about his immediate future at the helm of the national team by announcing that he has decided to stay put.
"I will remain in the job, definitely until the end of the year, but my intention is to continue," Fitzel told The Times.
Fitzel has a year left on his contract with the MFA but last month, he cast serious doubts about his future when indicating his intention to review his position after Malta's World Cup 2010 qualifiers away to Denmark and at home to Hungary.
After a 1-0 defeat to Hungary extended Malta's dismal start to four defeats in as many qualifiers, Fitzel told reporters that he would take time to ponder his future during a holiday in his home country. During the same news conference, Fitzel also let it be known that he was badly missing his family, an admission that was widely viewed as a further sign of his intention to call it quits.
Yet, it looks like Fitzel has had a change of heart during his 10-day stay in Prague.
"I'd been away from my family for quite a while," Fitzel remarked. "I badly needed a break and I enjoyed my stay back home for I had time to relax, be with my family and meet up with old friends.
"It was also a good opportunity for me to reflect on my job and despite all the difficulties plaguing Maltese football, I realised that other countries also have their problems. Nowhere is perfect."
Fitzel's comments might tempt some to suggest that all the coach needed was a good rest but that does not mean that normality has been restored for the Czech has returned to Malta with a renewed determination to pep up the performances of the national team.
"I said during a news conference recently that when a team is not delivering, you either change the coach or you change the players," Fitzel said. "I've already started doing that and those who come to see us train on Monday will notice a few differences."
Fitzel has already begun to wield his axe as he later revealed that six players have been dropped from the squad.
Birkirkara goalkeeper Omar Borg, Marsaxlokk's trio Stephen Wellman, Peter Pullicino and Gareth Sciberras, Valletta's Josef Mifsud and Sliema midfielder Roderick Bajada have been informed that they no longer form part of the pool of national team players.
For the November 19 friendly at home to Iceland, Fitzel has recalled Daniel Bogdanovic, who is currently playing for Bulgarian team Lokomotiv Sofia, and defender Andrei Agius, who is engaged with Italian Serie C2 team Igea Virtus.
Sliema goalkeeper Henry Bonello has also been confirmed in the new squad while team-mate Alex Muscat, Hibs' winger Clayton Failla and Birkirkara striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza have also been summoned to begin training with Fitzel from Monday.
"I want to refresh the atmosphere within the national squad and I hope these changes send out a strong message to all the players who have ambition of being part of the national squad," Fitzel said. "Players who don't work hard enough during training will be fired."
Fitzel and the Malta FA are also working to bring in a fitness coach. "In January, we will have a physical trainer working with our national teams," Fitzel said. "I spoke to three fitness coaches when I was in Prague but the (MFA) president has also got in touch with his contacts in Italy and England to see who's available.
"The idea is that our fitness coach will also work closely with club coaches as we want to monitor the physical output of players during training with their clubs."
To this end, Fitzel has just purchased equipment that measures the physical performance of players and has also had discussions with Sheffield United officials over the possibility of acquiring their Pro-Zone system (which provides stats on players' movement and distance covered during matches etc).
The prospect of closer collaboration with Sheffield United excites Fitzel.
"When the Sheffield United people were in Malta to see the qualifier against Hungary, they told us that they were keen to assist our efforts in promoting and improving Maltese football," Fitzel said. "They are very professional and I believe that a long-term partnership with Sheffield United would be extremely beneficial for Maltese football.
"Also, Sheffield United's international network is extensive. They have a club in Australia and I've already received names of players of Maltese descent who are playing in Australia's top league. This is another interesting project as with the help of the Sheffield United scouts in Australia, we can make an assessment of the level of these players and see if they can be useful for the national team."
Fitzel, who is due to visit Sheffield United later this month, also thinks that the national team and local clubs will be better off were the domestic season to run from mid-March till November.
"I've done a lot of research about the possibility of changing the timeframe of the Maltese football season," Fitzel said. "I have discussed the matter with the club coaches and presented a proposal to the Malta FA. My plan also allows for a three- to four-week break in July.
"I honestly believe that by changing our football calendar, the national team as well as club sides will benefit. The players will have a month off around Christmas time and begin pre-season in January-February when the weather is ideal for physical training."