Upon signing a one-year contract with Birkirkara last June, Fabrizio Miccoli declared that he had shelved plans to retire because he wanted to bow out with a smile.

Miccoli’s decision to rescind his deal with the Stripes after only five months coupled with the recent upheaval at the club, have fuelled suggestions that the former Italy striker is leaving the club with a sour taste but he spoke in glowing terms about his experience with Birkirkara, especially his rapport with the club’s fans.

“It was a very nice experience for me,” Miccoli told Times of Malta.

“I came here to try and finish my career with a smile and I’ve certainly had many satisfactions during the five months I spent with Birkirkara.

“We gave a good account of ourselves in the Europa League games against West Ham after progressing to the second qualifying round.

“I also enjoyed being part of a team that, regardless of all the ups and down, is still in the leading positions of the domestic championship.

“Birkirkara are not far from the top.

“On a personal level, I’ve scored many goals and also provided several assists, so I’m pleased with my contribution.”

Although a calf injury has limited his appearances in the last four weeks, Miccoli had made a positive impact at Birkirkara. He added six league goals to the two he scored in the Europa League, including one in the 1-0 home win over West Ham United.

News that Miccoli was leaving the Stripes came as a disappointment to many Birkirkara fans but the 36-year-old cited a lack of motivation as one of the main factors behind his decision to quit.

“My decision to cancel the contract with Birkirkara owed to a number of reasons,” Miccoli observed.

“Firstly, I didn’t have the same stimulation to play that I had when I arrived, due to a number of factors.

“Some things changed and this affected my motivation. I also wanted to return home to be with my family.

“Staying here for another five months knowing that I won’t be able to give my maximum didn’t seem right to me.”

Miccoli’s appearance in last week’s 6-0 rout of Kirkop United in the FA Trophy was probably his last in competitive football as the stocky forward is inclined to call it a day.

There are people who act as if they’re happy to see you but then you discover that they’re envious… there was someone who behaved like that

“I’ve decided to stop,” Miccoli, who has turned out for the likes of Juventus, Fiorentina, Palermo and Benfica in his eventful career, said. “My wish is to dedicate more time to my family.”

Having enticed Miccoli to join him at Birkirkara last summer, it was Italian coach Giovanni Tedesco who last week ended all the speculation about the future of his former Palermo team-mate by announcing that the veteran striker had decided to return to Italy.

A few days later, Tedesco was also shown the exit door by Birkirkara in the wake of the 4-0 drubbing to Valletta.

Miccoli made no attempt to conceal his disappointment at Birkirkara’s decision to dismiss Tedesco.

“I only came here because of the coach (Tedesco),” Miccoli said.

“He was the only reason I joined Birkirkara and I’m sorry that it had to finish this way because Tedesco is a true professional.

“But, these things happen in football. You have to accept these decisions even if you don’t necessarily agree with them.

“I want to thank the coach for giving me the opportunity to play for Birkirkara for the past five months.

“I also want to thank the Birkirkara fans from the bottom of my heart because from the first day I joined the club, they made feel like one of them, showing me great affection.”

Asked to comment on widespread reports that an unsettled dressing room played a key role in Tedesco’s dismissal, Miccoli replied: “There were some clarifications but not conflicts.

“It could have been a case where one was maybe thinking differently from the coach.

“Like I said, one of the reasons behind my departure is that certain things had changed.

“Being called in for training at 6.30 in the morning after the draw against Naxxar Lions was not a frivolous gesture… we live football in a different way.

“It was a way of showing the squad that throwing away a two-goal lead against Naxxar who had also been reduced to 10 men was just unacceptable.”

Miccoli offered a frank answer when asked about his relationship with his Birkirkara team-mates.

“I only had problems with one member of the squad,” Miccoli said.

“You know there are people who act as if they’re happy to see you but then you discover that they’re envious… there was someone who behaved like that.

“That said, I hope that the club have understood who I am and I must say that the majority of the players were fine with me.”

Nevertheless, Miccoli was adamant that the travails at Birkirkara over the past weeks have not dampened his respect for the club.

“I’m grateful to the club committee for enabling me to live this beautiful experience,” he said.

“My rapport with Birkirkara FC will continue. I’m sure that in the future we will find ways to collaborate.

“I have a football school for children in Lecce which is affiliated to Roma. I will be visiting Malta to have a look at promising players and try to get them to Italian clubs.

“I hope that my experience will be useful for Birkirkara in the future.

“I will always support Birkirkara, especially for the fans because they have been great to me.”