Floriana FC are in search of a new coach after they parted ways with Stephen Azzopardi by mutual consent yesterday.

The decision was taken just one day after Floriana suffered a shock fourth round exit from the U*Bet FA Trophy following a 1-0 defeat to Division One side Lija Athletic at the Tedesco Stadium.

Contacted by The Times Azzopardi confirmed that he had stepped down from the job due to a divergence of opinion with the club president.

“Unfortunately, it has emerged in the last few hours that the club president and I can no longer work together and therefore it was natural for me to step down from my job,” Azzopardi said.

“I would like to thank Floriana FC, the players and the fans for the respect they have shown me in these past few months and I wish them success.”

Azzopardi, who started the season at Qormi, had been at the helm of Floriana since October when he replaced Mark Wright who had left the Greens due to personal reasons.

The club are already in search of a new coach. Yesterday, the committee handed the reins of the team to assistant coach Gary Howard who will be in charge of the team’s selection ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League match against Rabat.

Lattes joins Reds

Ħamrun Spartans yesterday stren-ghtened their ranks with the signing of Emiliano Lattes who joined the club for the rest of the season.

The Argentine winger, who was on the books of Mqabba this season, was brought in by the Spartans ahead of the impending departure of Gianluca Calabretta who is set to join Tarxien Rainbows in this transfer window.