Qormi are expected to confirm the appointment of Karel Zeman as their new coach before their BOV Premier League clash with fellow strugglers Rabat Ajax tomorrow.
Zeman, the son of famous Czech coach Zdenek Zeman, was immediately installed as the leading candidate to take over from Tommaso Volpi but Qormi have not officially announced his appointment.
Following Volpi’s exit two weeks ago, former Malta FA youth coach Josef Mansueto, who is expected to stay in his role as assistant coach, oversaw Qormi’s preparations for their match against Vittoriosa Stars.
Qormi, who lost 2-1 to Vittoriosa, are believed to have struck an agreement with Zeman who has already taken charge of training.
Sources told Times of Malta that Zeman could be unveiled as the new Qormi coach today.
Little is known about Zeman’s coaching career but in 2012 the 36-year-old was at the helm of Alma Juventus Fano in the second division of the Italian Lega Pro.
After leading the team to a 10th-place finish in 2011/12, Zeman lost his job in September after Alma Juventus Fano suffered a 6-0 defeat to Alessandria.
Qormi are fourth from bottom in the Premier League on 14 points, seven points outside the Championship Pool zone.
The club have already started the process of offloading a host of Italian players who were signed by Volpi.
Striker Riccardo Innocenti was due to return to Italy after terminating his contract with Qormi while Federico Santaguida has joined Vittoriosa Stars until the end of the season.
Vittoriosa were on the verge of signing goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo on loan from Valletta earlier this week but the latter pulled the plug on the deal at the eleventh hour.
Bartolo is now eyeing a move to Balzan but the two clubs have yet to reach an agreement over his loan switch.
The festive season has been a busy time for Balzan who have completed the signing of four players in the hope of resurrecting their Championship Pool challenge.
Defender Ramon has joined Balzan from Vittoriosa, Pedrinho is back at the club after a short stint in Thailand and Chilean midfielder Edison Bilbao Zarate has been reunited with coach Jesmond Zerafa after the two worked together at Qormi.
Balzan have also taken midfielder Kurt Magro on loan from Valletta.
Apart from Magro, the Citizens have also sanctioned loan moves for Dyson Falzon, who has rejoined Mosta, and Yessous Camilleri who has inked a short-term deal with Division One promotion hopefuls Żebbuġ Rangers.
Valletta are not expected to bring in replacements for the departed trio but they are hoping to exploit sponsors Insignia’s close ties with Vitesse Arnhem to recruit some players from the Dutch club during this month’s transfer window.
It is believed that Valletta have identified the signing of an experienced goalkeeper as a top priority amid reports that the club may part ways with Italian shot-stopper Pietro Marino who has been out of the team since the 1-0 defeat to Birkirkara on September 29.
As expected, Mosta have handed the reins of their first team to Enrico Piccioni. The Italian, who joined Mosta at the start of the season in a technical advisory role, succeeds Danilo Doncic.
Hibernians are looking to sign a defender after allowing Matthew Tabone to pursue a loan move.
Division One side St George’s are favourites to sign Tabone.
Argentine defender David Alejandro Reano is due to land in Malta today ahead of his move to Premier League side Naxxar Lions.
Reano, 29, is expected to replace Evaldo who will return to Brazil, for personal reasons, after tomor-row’s game against Vittoriosa Stars.
Rabat Ajax have reached an agreement to terminate the contract of Spanish striker Moises Avila-Perez while Clifford Gauci, another regular first-team player, has left the club to sign for Zebbuġ.