Gilbert Agius will extend his long association with Valletta after accepting the club’s offer to become the team’s assistant coach.
Sources have told The Times that Agius’s appointment has the full backing of incoming coach Mark Miller as the Valletta hierarchy, headed by president Victor Sciriha, moved swiftly to keep the 38-year-old at the club amid growing rumours that other teams were keen to sign the former Malta captain.
After completing his UEFA A badge a few years ago, Agius had been widely tipped to venture into coaching but opted to prolong his illustrious playing career.
Although Agius has now officially joined Valletta’s technical team, he is not hanging up his boots for good as it is believed that Miller wants the talisman to keep training and make himself available for selection when needed.
In the outgoing season, Agius has been used sparingly by former coach Jesmond Zerafa but, whether playing from the start or coming off the bench, he still delivered a series of influential performances that helped the Citizens retain the title.
Agius, who is expected to pen a two-year deal, was overcome with emotion as he left the field to a deafening applause from the fans after being substituted in the second half of Valletta’s final league match against Hibs earlier this month.
The overriding impression at the time was that Agius may have made his final league appearance for Valletta but after the game, the captain declared that he was still assessing his options.
News that Agius, certainly one of the greatest Maltese players of all time, is likely to extend his career while also being a key member of Valletta’s coaching staff, ought to raise the spirits of the club’s supporters who are still reeling from the team’s unexpected 4-3 defeat to Qormi in Sunday’s U*Bet FA Trophy semi-final.
Meanwhile, it also emerged yesterday that Valletta have held preliminary talks with Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber.
Haber is a free agent after terminating his contract with Greek club Kerkyra a few months ago.
It is believed that Haber, who turns 31 next month, is open to the possibility of continuing his career in Malta with Birkirkara among the clubs chasing his signature.
Valletta are in talks to extend Andrew Hogg’s contract but they’re also considering other candidates in case they fail to reach an agreement with the national team goalkeeper.
Hibs search
Hibs are also working to bring in a new coach for next season following the departure of Miller who has agreed to take over at Valletta after four years in charge of the Paolites.
It has been widely suggested that Hibs regard Paul Zammit as the ideal candidate to succeed Miller but the indications are that the former Valletta mentor will stay with Birkirkara where he is still under contract.
Under caretaker coaches Richard Mercieca and Ndubisi Chukunyere, Hibs beat Ħamrun Spartans 2-1 on Monday to set up a clash with Qormi in the U*Bet FA Trophy final on Sunday.
Yet, the Paolites are keen to replace Miller with an experienced coach and if their attempts to lure Zammit fail, they are likely to engage a foreign coach.
For their part, Birkirkara, who will compete in the Europa League next season after finishing third in the BOV Premier League, have not renewed the contract of Spanish striker Moises Avila-Perez. The other four foreign players, Nikola Vukanac, Shola Shodiya Haruna, Rodrigo Pereira and Jorge, are still under contract.
Sliema Wanderers, who have named Clive Mizzi as their new coach, have set their sights on two former players, namely Floriana forward Ivan Woods and Qormi midfielder Joseph Farrugia.