Giovanni Tedesco has been relieved of his duties as coach of Birkirkara FC, the Premier League club announced yesterday.

The Italian, who took over from Paul Zammit last summer, had been under pressure since the start of the season as Birkirkara struggled to reproduce their vibrant Europa League performances in the domestic championship on a regular basis.

Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of bitter rivals Valletta and their former coach Zammit, proved to be the final straw as the Birkirkara committee, headed by president Adrian Delia, decided to dismiss Tedesco with immediate effect.

The decision was communicated to Tedesco during a meeting yesterday afternoon, less than 24 hours after Birkirkara secured a place in the fourth round of the FA Trophy after a routine 6-0 win over Division Two side Kirkop United.

Assistant coach Josef Mansueto has been put in temporary charge of the team until the club appoint Tedesco’s successor with their search expected to focus on foreign candidates.

“Birkirkara FC has reached an agreement with the Club’s Head Coach Mr Giovanni Tedesco to part ways,” the club said on their official website (birkirkarafc.com).

In their statement, Birkirkara alluded to the positive results achieved by their team in the Europa League but added: “This was followed by a roller-coaster ride in the Premier League and the Club felt that the set targets were not being reached”.

Tedesco was magnanimous.

“I wish to thank everyone, especially the committee, for giving me the opportunity to coach Birkirkara FC,” the former Perugia and Pale-rmo midfielder told Times of Malta.

“I’m leaving with my head held high, comforted by the knowledge that I’ve given my 100 per cent.

“The statistics also speak in my favour as Birkirkara have only conceded two defeats in the league besides the fact that, in the summer, the team managed to reach the second qualifying round of the Europa League where we only lost to West Ham United on penalties.”

A senior Birkirkara player told Times of Malta that he was saddened by the club’s decision to part with Tedesco, describing the Italian as “a very good coach”.

Last weekend’s defeat to Valletta was only Birkirkara’s second in the championship but they are now five points off the title pace after figuring in no fewer than five draws.

Tedesco, who last season guided Floriana to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League, enjoyed a bright start to his tenure as Birkirkara coach after leading the club to the second qualifying round of the Europa League following a 3-1 away at Armenia’s FC Ulissess.

Birkirkara stole the limelight in the second round after holding English Premier League club West Ham to a 1-1 aggregate draw before going down on penalties at the National Stadium.

These showings, allied with the much-publicised arrival of former Italy striker Fabrizio Miccoli and a host of new foreigners, sparked euphoria among their fans but a 2-1 defeat to champions Hibernians in the BOV Super Cup dampened their early-season optimism.

Reports of a dressing-room row with Paul Fenech will have done little to ease the growing pressure on Tedesco, moreso as the Malta midfielder is regarded as one of the most influential players in the Birkirkara dressing room.

The unexpected departure of Miccoli, who is expected to leave the club in the coming weeks, has been widely seen as another setback for Tedesco as it was he who lured the 36-year-old former Juventus and Benfica forward to Birkirkara FC.

“We would like to thank Mr Tedesco for his professionalism and dedicated service towards our club, while wishing him all the best of luck for his future,” the club added.

Birkirkara’s next league match is against Pembroke Athleta on Sunday.

Naxxar Lions president resigns

David Vella last night resigned as Naxxar Lions president.

Vella’s decision to quit his post only a few months after succeeding Dione Drago represents another setback for Naxxar Lions who are third from bottom in the Premier League standings.

Elsewhere, Qormi have terminated the contract of Carlo Monti.

Monti, who joined Qormi in the summer after a one-year spell with rivals Żebbuġ Rangers, has occasionally shown glimpses of his best form this season but the club felt that the Scottish playmaker had not lived up to expectations.

Swedish striker Alex Nilsson could also leave Qormi in January as he is attracting the interest of a couple of Premier League clubs.

Pembroke Athleta coach Winston Muscat is an admirer of Nilsson who has also been linked with a move to Birkirkara.

Qormi coach Johann Scicluna is keen to bring in some reinforcements to boost his side’s fight against relegation. Two foreign players are expected to join the team for a trial in the coming days.