Manolov eyes return to Maltese football

Former Valletta boss Kris Manolov could make a return to the Maltese Premier League next season.

"I have excellent memories from the years I spent on the island and that's why I will never rule out a return to Malta," Manolov told The Times from Bulgaria yesterday.

Having led Valletta to an unprecedented six-trophy feat in the first season of the new millennium, Manolov quit the Citizens at the start of the 2001-2002 campaign, citing family reasons.

The methodic Bulgarian mentor returned to his home country where he served as coach and technical director to his home club Botev Plovdiv before landing a one-year contract to coach in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates.

"When I resigned as Valletta coach some three years ago, I felt I had exhausted my ideas after four seasons in the Premier League," Manolov said.

"At the time, I felt that I needed to find a new working environment to broaden my horizons as a coach. Looking back on how my career unfolded in the last two years, I think that I have improved myself as a coach. I had coaching spells here in Bulgaria besides an excellent one-year experience in the UAE," Manolov added.

Manolov was on the coaching staff of Al Ittihad Kaalba, a top-flight club in the Emirates. The Bulgarian was originally in charge of the reserves team but took over the duties of head coach for the last few months of his contract.

"I signed a one-year contract to coach in the UAE," Manolov explained. "These are government contracts because all the money is paid for by the authorities in a bid to enhance the level of football in the country.

"It was a very positive experience and I had talks to extend my contract by another year but for me it was very difficult to stay there longer than one year because clubs change between three to four coaches during the course of a season," Manolov said.

"After these experiences, I believe I have something new to offer if I return to club coaching in Malta. Here, I have had offers to return to coaching but I refused because the clubs who requested my services lack in organisation. For the time being, I am helping out Botev Plovdiv, who are bottom of the league, by giving my advice on football matters to the current administration.

"Malta always remains an attractive option if a good offer from an ambitious club comes along," Manolov said.

The rumour mill had it that Manolov might interest Marsaxlokk, currently fourth in the Premier League, but a club spokesman told The Times that it's far too early to decide on any changes for next season.

Atanas Marinov, the Valletta mentor, may also enter the frame if Marsaxlokk opt to appoint a new coach next season.