Birkirkara could be set for a major overhaul in the coming weeks as the club’s top hierarchy are looking to revive the team’s fortunes following a topsy-turvy opening part of the season.
Despite the club’s major investment in the squad in the close season they struggled for some form of consistency as four defeats from their opening eight matches has seen them slip down in the Premier League standings.
The position of coach Paul Zammit is looking increasingly in jeopardy after some disagreements with the club’s top hierarchy.
Last October, Birkirkara president Frank Zarb openly criticised the management of Zammit when interviewed on various television programmes and it is understood that their relationship has reached a point of no return.
From that incident, Zammit made it public that although he was asked to resign, he will stay on for three main reasons.
Zammit had told the Times of Malta of November 2 that he had decided to stay on at the club due to the reciprocal respect he has towards the players and the supporters and the responsibility towards the other members of the technical staff.
“I want to shoulder the responsibility not run away from it.”
After that incident, Birkirkara seemed to turn round the corner as in their next six matches they managed five wins that left them seven points adrift of joint-pacesetters Gżira United and Hibernians and in the last 16 of the FA Trophy.
Sources have told the Times of Malta, that in the last weeks Zammit was not even consulted by the club’s top hierarchy on the transfer business to be conducted during the January transfer window.
So far, Birkirkara have brought in wing back Clayton Failla from Floriana with Edward Herrera moving in the other direction while they also signed Bosnian midfielder Muamer Svraka.
It is understood that some players from their present squad were asked to find a club or reach an agreement for the termination of their contract.
The future of established players such as Kristijan Naumovski, Mislav Andjelkovic, Paul Fenech, Marcelo Henrique and Jake Grech have also been put into question.
Contacted by the Times of Malta yesterday, Zarb said that the club are in the process of making some changes to the club’s technical staff and confirmed that the position of coach Zammit was one that will be discussed in the coming days.
“It’s no secret that I was not happy with some of the decisions taken by Paul Zammit in the last few months,” Zarb said.
“I tried to sit down with Paul Zammit to try to solve our differences but he refused to back down from his stance and therefore now I have no option but to move forward and try and do what it’s best for Birkirkara.”
Times of Malta understands that one of the new faces to form part of Birkirkara’s coaching staff in the coming weeks is likely to be John Arne Riise.
The former Liverpool wingback, who is currently acting as ambassador of betting company Betsson, has held talks with club president Zarb last month over the possibility to take a position at the club.
Although Zarb refused to divulge any details on which position Riise will be filling, it is understood that the former Norwegian international will act as sporting director.
Balzan signing
Elsewhere, Balzan reached an agreement with Bosnian central defender Aleksandar Kosoric.
The 31-year-old started his career with Slavija Sarajevo before joining Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade. He also had spells at Radnicki Nis and Zeljeznicar.
Last season Kosoric played for Latvian side Spartaks Jurmala and helped them win the league championship.
Kosoric's arrival will fill the void left by Harry Ascroft who left the Premier League side at the end of last month.
Floriana are also in the final stages of sealing the transfer of a new overseas player as the Greens are set to sign Brazilian striker Lucas Vieira Da Silva.
The 25-year-old Brazilian attacker was on the books of Rolandia, Uniao Beltra and Desportivo Brasil in the past couple of seasons.
Vieira Da Silva is set to replace Juninho Cabral who is on his way to join Macedonian side FK Rabotnicki.