In a meeting held by the Malta Football Association (MFA), a new national team coach was appointed as Ray 'Żażu' Farrugia was handed the reins of the senior team. 

The 62-year old will replace Tom Saintfiet, after the Belgian coach was removed from his post following a report by the BBC saying he was interested in coaching the Cameroon national team during his tenure in Malta.

The Malta FA explained that they are still to finalise the terms of the contract with Farrugia, in particular regarding the duration of his management while he will have his say on who will assist him on the sidelines.

“In the circumstances, we felt that we should hand the reins of the national team to a Maltese coach who is already part of our technical sector, has a sound knowledge of Maltese football as well as the experience to prepare and lead the team in international matches,” Norman Darmanin Demajo, the Malta FA president, said.

“The stability of our national team is our top priority and to this end, we are confident that Ray Farrugia has the ability and experience to fulfil this role in the best possible manner.”

Farrugia is not a new name to the Malta FA, having served as an assistant coach under four managers, namely Josip Ilic, Sigi Held, Pietro Ghedin and Saintfiet in the past six months.

He was also at the helm of the Malta U-21 side in two spells, between 1998 and 2002, and most recently in 2011 before Silvio Vella took over for himself later on. 

The former Floriana player will be the first Maltese coach since the duo John Buttigieg and Carmel Busuttil managed the side between 2009 and 2011 with Robert Gatt running the team for one game as an interim coach in 2012 before Ghedin took charge. 

Farrugia's opening commitments will be three international friendlies which form part of their preparation programme ahead of the newly-established UEFA Nations League, where they will face Armenia (May 29), Georgia (June 1) and Moldova (June 4).