Birkirkara are in talks with former Malta coach John Buttigieg and Carmel Busuttil to spearhead the Premier League club nursery’s coaching team from next season.
Buttigieg and Busuttil, the former assistant national coach, have been without a job since their contracts with the Malta FA were terminated prematurely on October 25.
Joe Zammit, the president of Birkirkara FC, confirmed that the club’s hierarchy have offered Buttigieg and Busuttil key coaching roles in their nursery.
“There is strong interest (in Buttigieg and Busuttil) but we have not signed an agreement yet,” Zammit told The Times.
Describing Buttigieg and Busuttil as “two of the best coaches on the Maltese islands”, Zammit added: “Buttigieg had misfortune during his tenure as national coach but our national team is what it is. We can only avail ourselves of just over 400,000 people in this country.”
Zammit is hopeful that Birkirkara will reach an agreement with Buttigieg and Busuttil as “discussions are at an advanced stage”.
Having guided Birkirkara to success in the 2007/08 FA Trophy competition during his two-and-a-half-year coaching spell with the club, Buttigieg is regarded very highly by Zammit and his fellow committee members.
“Out of nothing, John Buttigieg delivered the FA Trophy in season 2007-08,” Zammit said. “I was vice-president of the club back then. I have never worked with Carmel Busuttil but I have great respect for him.”
The Birkirkara president said the club’s plan is for Buttigieg and Busuttil to start working for the nursery at the beginning of next season but the Stripes are keen to tie up a deal with the duo as soon as possible so that they can do some preparatory work over the next six months.
Contacted by The Times yesterday, Busuttil did not wish to comment while Buttigieg could not be reached.
It is believed that Busuttil has re-ceived job offers from other clubs.
Zammit stressed that Birkirkara’s bid to engage two high-profile coaches to lead their nursery reflects the club’s renewed drive to boost youth development.
“Birkirkara’s future rests on the nursery,” Zammit said. “It’s no longer the case that the success of our club depends on the president. We’re putting stronger emphasis on our youths because the nursery is at the heart of every member of our administration.
“There are certain things we’re looking to rectify.
“Luckily, Birkirkara now have an administration that is working hand-in-hand with the nursery.
“Every member focuses on a particular sector of the club and all are giving a sterling contribution. There are several other initiatives we’re working on but we will talk about them later on during the season.
“As these are long-term projects, the benefits of our on-going efforts will probably be enjoyed by future administrations but we’re doing this to take the club forward.”
At senior level, Birkirkara are going through a difficult time, picking only one point from their last three Premier League games.
Their humiliating 5-0 defeat to Hibs on Sunday left Birkirkara involved in the race for Championship Pool places as they are sixth in the table, level with Qormi and Sliema on 20 points.
Zammit revealed that Birkirkara intend to bring in some reinforcements during the January transfer window.
“In January we will make some changes,” Zammit said. “We had a lengthy meeting with the coach (Paul Zammit) yesterday during which we tried to identify the squad’s weaknesses.
“It’s no secret that the team’s results have not been good this season and we will definitely do our utmost to make the changes that need to be made come January.”
Serbian midfielder in City trial
Meanwhile, Serbian midfielder Dragan Antanasijevic yesterday joined Valletta for a trial. Antanasijevic, 24, is on the books of Serbian second division club FK Bask.
The champions are looking to sign a central midfielder in the January transfer window. Danyllo Araujo Goncalves, from Brazil, also began a trial with Valletta but he’s unlikely to be retained.