Valletta have a new coach. Dennis Fenech, the former Valletta skipper and Malta international midfielder, was yesterday officially appointed coach of the Citizens for season 2002-2003.

Fenech, 50, is no stranger to Premier League coaching, having had spells with Naxxar Lions and Mellieha. Last season, Fenech led Senglea Athletics to promotion to Division One.

At Valletta, Fenech replaces Bulgarian Georgi Deanov whose contract was not renewed after the team finished in fourth place and failed to win any of the major honours in domestic football.

Next month, Valletta will be participating in the Intertoto Cup. Their opponents are Albanians SK Teuta from Durres. Fenech will supervise the team`s first training session on Monday. On that same day, Valletta FC will be holding their annual general meeting.

Meanwhile, Fenech`s appointment as Valletta coach can also be taken as an indication that Edward Aquilina, who was also linked with a return to the capital, is now likely to become the new boss of Sliema Wanderers.

Aquilina was offered the City coaching job last week but opted to bide his time as he wanted to wait for the outcome of next Monday`s annual general meeting before making a decision on his future. Aquilina, who has been inactive for the past four seasons, had already been approached by Sliema before Valletta requested his services.

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