Premier League strugglers Qormi are looking for a new coach after Jesmond Zerafa stepped down from his post in midweek.

“Qormi FC announce that coach Jesmond Zerafa has resigned from his post with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement posted on their Facebook page.

Coach Jesmond Zerafa has left Qormi.

“While thanking Zerafa for his work, we wish him luck for the future.

“Until a new coach is appointed, the team will be led by assistant coach Johann Scicluna.

“The club and the team are focused on Saturday’s game against Hibernians and any decision about the coach will be made after that match.”

Zerafa’s exit came like a bolt out of the blue for Qormi who are still finding their feet in this season’s championship after offloading a host of established players in the summer to ease their financial crisis.

Despite the club’s off-season travails, Zerafa looked to be bringing the best out of the squad at his disposal as Qormi’s performances have improved in recent weeks.

Qormi are third from bottom in the Premier League with four points from seven games.

It is believed that Qormi officials are still trying to convince Zerafa to reverse his resignation but in the meantime, the club, headed by newly-appointed president Jesmond Aquilina, have already sounded out Josef Mansueto about the possibility of taking over as first-team coach.

Mansueto, currently assistant to Birkirkara coach Giovanni Tedesco, was in charge of Qormi last season but relinquished his duties in February to be replaced by Mark Miller who guided the team to Premier League survival before stepping aside.

It is believed that Mansueto has turned down the opportunity to succeed Zerafa.

Meanwhile, former Inter and Brazil winger Ze Maria was at the National Stadium on Tuesday to watch Malta’s 1-0 defeat to Croatia in their final Euro 2016 Group H qualifier.

During his short stay here, Ze Maria, who played 25 times for Brazil, was seen with people involved in Maltese football, including Hibernians team manager Jeffrey Farrugia, but it is unclear whether the 42-year-old has been approached over the possibility of taking up a coaching job here in the near future.