Aquilina resumes City coaching job

J.J. Aquilina has been re-appointed coach of Premier League club Valletta only a week after he resigned from the same post.

The Citizens, fourth in the Premier League last season, had spent most of last week trying to bring in a new coach after Aquilina informed them of his intention to stand down due to work pressure.

A host of coaches, local as well as foreign with experience of the domestic game, were mentioned as potential replacements for Aquilina.

The saga took an unexpected twist late last week. Aquilina intimated to Valletta officials that, having resolved the working problem which had forced him to resign, he was prepared to withdraw his resignation.

On Thursday, Aquilina had a clear-the-air meeting with Charles Camilleri, the Valletta president before the former's proposal to continue as head coach for another season was discussed at committee level.

It was yesterday afternoon when Valletta, eliminated in the first round of the Intertoto Cup by FC Buducnost of Serbia and Montenegro, made a decision to hand the coaching job back to Aquilina who is now expected to return to the training pitch tomorrow evening.

Nuno Gomes signs for Marsaxlokk

Meanwhile, Portuguese defender Nuno Miguel Dos Santos Gomes has finally dispelled the uncertainty about his future by signing a one-year contract with Marsaxlokk, his agent Henry Ekezie told The Sunday Times.

Nuno Gomes, brought up through the youth ranks of Boavista, was initially expected to join Birkirkara after leaving a good impression during a trial.

Birkirkara had already reportedly agreed terms with Nuno Gomes, 26, but their efforts were undone by a late bid from Premier League rivals Marsaxlokk that persuaded the Portuguese to join them.