Vella to hang up boots as he joins MFA coaching staff

Hibernians' skipper Silvio Vella will bid adieu to football after his team's Champions League qualifying matches next month. Contacted by The Times yesterday, Vella, a former Malta international defender, confirmed his decision to call it quits to pursue a coaching career as a member of the Malta FA coaching staff.

"It has been a very hard decision to retire for good but I'm delighted to have been given the opportunity to cut my coaching teeth with the Malta Football Association.

"Over the last few weeks, I have talked the matter over with the president and coach of Hibernians and this decision was made in the best interest of both parties. We all agreed that a coaching role with the Malta FA would stand me in good stead," Vella said.

The 35-year-old Vella, who played a prominent role in Hibernians' title triumph last season, has been appointed assistant to Mark Miller.

The former Rabat defender is expected to be mostly involved with the Malta U-19 squad but he is also likely to assist Miller, who coached Vella at Hibernians a few years ago, in his duties as national U-21 coach.

Although new to the coaching scene, Vella is not expected to encounter any familiarisation problems at Ta' Qali as most of his new colleagues at the MFA are former team-mates. Apart from Miller, Edwin Camilleri, John Bonello and Charlie Scerri are also on the MFA coaching staff.

Like Vella, Scerri, formerly of Hibernians, has been handed a job on the Malta FA coaching staff.

The former Malta international midfielder, who turned out for St Andrew's last season, is expected to work with the Malta U-14 and U-12 teams.