Giovanni Tedesco is no longer the coach of Birkirkara FC.

The Italian coach, who took over the club in the close season, was under pressure in the past few days after the Stripes suffered a 4-0 defeat to Valletta last weekend.

The result left the team in third place in the Premier League standings, five adrift of joint-leaders Valletta and Hibernians.

After this result it seems that the Birkirkara committee felt that a coaching change was needed and they announced that they have reached an agreement with head coach Tedesco to go separate ways as “ the club’s targets were not being reached”.

“Birkirkara FC has reached an agreement with the Club’s Head Coach Mr Giovanni Tedesco to part ways,” the club said in a statement on their official website.

“Coach Tedesco had a successful start with our Club, as he lead the Club’s senior team to qualifying to the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round after eliminating Ulysses, of Armenia.

“In the second qualifying round Birkirkara had to face the English Premier League side of West Ham United. After a narrow defeat in Uptop Park of 1-0, Birkirkara won the home match with a similar score only to be eliminated by a penalty shoot-out.

“This was followed by a roller coaster ride in the Premier League, and the Club felt that the set targets were not being reached.”

Assistant coach Josef Mansueto has been given the responsibility of the first team until a new coach is appointed.

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