Jesmond Zerafa... new chapter in coaching career.

Jesmond Zerafa was yesterday appointed coach of Naxxar Lions, replacing Winston Muscat who was relieved of his duties after the 5-1 drubbing to Hibernians on Friday extended the team’s winless start to seven games.

Zerafa was out of work after his contract with Balzan, whom he steered to a top-six finish last season, was not renewed.

Muscat becomes the first coach to lose his job in the 2014/15 Premier League season.

During his three-year stint with the club, he led Naxxar to promotion in 2013 and just managed to keep them in the top flight last May after his team beat Vittoriosa Stars on the final day of the season.

“Football is my life so I missed the game in the last six months,” Zerafa told Times of Malta.

“During the summer, I wasn’t really bothered about the situation but when September came, I was itching to start again.

“Now I’m about to start a new chapter with Naxxar Lions.

“I believe they have the ability to hold their own in the Premier League.

“Our challenge is to get out of the bottom half of the standings. The main target is to avoid relegation. There is always pressure when you’re fighting to survive but I’m not concerned.

“I’ve been in this situation before when I coached Qormi and, to a lesser extent, with Balzan. When I joined them last season, Balzan were struggling.

“I believe that with hard work and dedication, Naxxar can reach their objective.”

Zerafa, who guided Valletta to back-to-back Premier League titles between 2010 and 2012, takes over a team at the foot of the table with only three points, one above bottom side Żebbuġ Rangers.

“The league is very difficult,” Zerafa remarked.

“The results we had last week highlight this point as the smaller teams surprised the more quoted ones on the day.

“Naxxar are not in a good position at the moment. No doubt, the previous coach has done a good job but the team was not getting results.

“It’s not an easy situation but with sacrifice and commitment, I believe that we can improve.”

Zerafa intends to use the international break to familiarise himself with the squad and work on those aspects that need improving.

“One of my priorities is to try and alleviate the tension from the players. There is pressure at the moment because results were not coming but the players must be united,” Zerafa contended.

“Our next game against Żebbuġ Rangers (October 18) is crucial but we must prepare calmly and in an appropriate way.”

Zerafa has signed a contract until the end of the current season with an option to extend if both parties are willing to prolong their association.

Greco’s future

Sources told Times of Malta that the Sliema Wanderers FC committee was summoned for an important meeting yesterday evening to discuss the future of coach Alfonso Greco.

Sliema had a low-key start to the Premier League season and are currently in the bottom half of the standings with two wins from seven matches.

The Blues were linked with a move for a high-profile coach in summer.

However, Greco retained his job for another season having taken over from Clive Mizzi in the summer of 2012.

Tomas visit

Dusko Tomas, who had a long spell as physical trainer of the national team in the nineties, is currently in Malta.

Known as ‘The Professor’, Tomas, from Serbia, has worked for a host of Chinese clubs since leaving his job with the Malta FA.

Tomas is a close friend of Norman Darmanin Demajo, the Malta FA president.