Edmond Lufi has been appointed Melita FC Senior Team Head Coach for season 2018-2019. 

Lufi will be assisted by Etienne Vella, while Chris Bartolo will be responsible for coaching the U-19s squad. These three members of the technical staff will work together to fulfil the club’s immediate and long-term plans. 

In thanking outgoing senior team coaches Andrea Pisanu, Alberto Piras, and U-19s coach Robert Aquilina, Andrew Naudi, president of Melita FC said: “After the disappointment of being demoted to second division, the committee is putting together a plan to ensure Melita FC quickly regain First Division status, which is where the club belongs. 

“The committee has full faith that the new technical team has both the experience and ability to take our teams forward.” 

Lufi needs no introduction to local football. He is the holder of a UEFA A Licence and has won many honours both locally and abroad as a player and also as a coach. 

The club has also announced important changes to its nursery setup. 

After the departure of Carmel Busuttil, who was head coach for the past six years, the club has appointed Neil Zarb Cousin at the helm the Melita FC nursery. 

“The committee believes that the club’s future can only be secured with the development and maintenance of a successful nursery. Despite being a well-established top nursery on the island, we must continuously improve and raise the bar. This is why this year we decided to employ Neil as our Nursery head coach on a full-time basis,” Naudi said. 

“Zarb Cousin will work towards achieving the club’s mission to offer a holistic youth development scheme to all the children.”

Zarb Cousin holds a UEFA A Elite Licence and has vast experience in coaching both at a nursery level and at a senior team level. 

Zarb Cousin is not new to Melita FC. He was part of the technical team when Melita got promoted to Premier Division five years ago. He has also worked with some of the top nurseries on the island including Pieta and Hibs. 

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors Atlas insurance, O’Hea, Eurosport, Vibe FM and Ice-watch, the many volunteers, parents and all those who help in one way or another. Without their support none of this would be possible,” Mr Naudi concluded. 

The technical set-up and the club’s future plans will be presented to the club members at the Annual General Meeting being held on June 13 at 7pm at the club’s training grounds in Pembroke.

Neil Zarb Cousin (centre) poses with president Andrew Naudi (left) and vice-president Matthew Naudi.Neil Zarb Cousin (centre) poses with president Andrew Naudi (left) and vice-president Matthew Naudi.

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