Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia's decision to leave the Malta U-21 job did not go down well with the local sporting fraternity. During his four-year tenure as Malta U-21 coach, our football apprentices attained unprecedented heights as evidenced by their 5-0 mauling of Macedonia and five draws from 10 matches in the UEFA U-21 qualifying campaign that followed.

Farrugia's mantra of total dedication to the game, commitment and national pride not only rubbed off on his charges, it also endeared him to local football fans.

When the news broke last summer that Farrugia had chosen to switch to club coaching as boss of Pietà Hotspurs, the general reaction was that the Malta FA had committed another own-goal in losing the services of one of the most esteemed local coaches.

It is a known fact that Farrugia had been courted by many top clubs. To say that his choice to coach Pietà Hotspurs, a small club without a major honour in the top flight, was a surprising one, would be an understatement.

Now, nine months after Farrugia began his coaching job at Pietà, it is easier to understand the wisdom behind his decision. Farrugia comes across as a very affable, yet determined man, one who thrives on challenges. For him, Pietà, whose good organisation and passion for the team stand out, represented another big test.

His declared goal of leading the side to a top-six finish has already been achieved as Pietà made sure of a Championship Pool berth at the end of the first phase of the league. Having eased their relegation fears, Pietà have continued to confound their critics by holding two more-quoted teams, Valletta and Sliema Wanderers, to a draw.

Their performances bore the hallmark of Farrugia's philosophy... tactical organisation, positive football and great resilience.

"Pietà are not generally perceived as one of the biggest clubs in Malta. Our results in the early phase of the Premier League exceeded everyone's expectations but I felt that my players thought they were living a dream. Suddenly, we had three negative results and that had a knock-on effect on the team's confidence," Farrugia said.

"We did struggle for some time but the players deserve credit for showing the character to bounce back and make the Championship Pool. I firmly believe that my team can do well in the remaining games. The atmosphere is great and the players are united... they fill me with optimism.

"I have taken this job in the first place because I believe that Pietà Hotspurs can go a long way. It takes time and patience but the foundations are there. The set up is excellent, especially now that the club have installed an artificial turf pitch," Farrugia said.

"My ambition is to bring enduring stability to the team in terms of their status in the Premier League. I want to help the players to prosper because their progress would benefit the club as well.

"This year I am happy with the way my first-team players have been performing. I mean, you just have to look at players like Jamie Pace, Ivan Woods and Sharlon Pace to understand what I'm saying. These players were rarely in the limelight last season but they have been among the best in the league so far."

Their results in the Championship Pool certainly justify Farrugia's optimism about Pietà consolidating their presence among the elite.

"I'm satisfied with the results in our first two games insofar as they show that Pietà are not there to make up the numbers.

"Moreover, our performances have shown that the team are physically well prepared and that our collectiveness is our forte. Before every game, I tell my players that we are a well-knit unit but if one cog malfunctions, the whole team would suffer," Farrugia added.

Against Sliema on Saturday, Pietà looked down and out after their opponents took a 2-0 lead inside the first 10 minutes but they hit back strongly and may have snatched a winner in the end as they ended the game in their opponents' half.

"At the end, I was a bit disappointed because I felt we could have won it. But that is football. Having said that, I don't want to detract from Sliema's merits. They deserve to be leading the standings, along with Birkirkara, because they have excellent squads. I think that each of them can field two good teams with the players they've got."

Pieta's unbeaten start to the Championship Pool has triggered suggestions that the Hotspurs can challenge for a top-four berth. Farrugia is not looking too far ahead though.

"We have to take it game by game. The team have done well so far but we have to remain fully focused because there are many more stern tests down the road. Obviously, if towards the end of the campaign we would still be in the reckoning for European qualification, we would go for it."

Had Pietà recruited a few more players, perhaps they would stand a better chance of mounting a challenge for one of the Euro slots. Farrugia's squad lacks strength-in-depth but he is not too concerned about that.

"We have a number of promising youngsters coming through but they need time to mature and reach their full potential. It may be two or three years more before these players are really ready to make their mark but we have to hone them the right way.

"The most important thing for them is to keep their feet on the ground and work hard. Luckily, our players are willing to learn and to wait for their chance."

Young players... the future of football. Conversing with Farrugia, it is very hard not to ask him questions about the Malta U-21.

"I believe that during my time as U-21 coach, we, and not I, did something for Maltese football. Up to this present day, people stop me in the streets to tell me of their appreciation for the efforts of the team during those four years. The memories of that experience are a big part of my coaching career and every player who was in my squad feels the same way," Farrugia reminisced.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent as U-21 Malta coach but after four years, I felt I needed a new challenge and I am very happy to have joined Pietà. The club are like one big family. The committee, players and fans all work towards a common objective... Pietà Hotspurs.

"Moreover, the people at the helm of the club go about their business in a very professional way.

"Edward Schembri, the club president, epitomises everything that is good about Pietà. He is a very dedicated person but does not seek personal glory for the invaluable service he gives to the club," the 48-year-old Farrugia added.

Farrugia and Carmel Busuttil, the former Malta skipper, are both employed by a company, GSE Ltd, that has very close links with Pietà Hotspurs. Both are involved in the Buzu Soccer School and many believe that together, they can do a world of good to Maltese football.

Although Farrugia makes no bones about his ambition to coach the national team one day, he also revealed that he wants to concentrate more on grassroots football.

"My wish is to work with young players. I want to coach kids to help them fulfil their potential because that would enhance their chances of playing abroad. I don't want to stay on as coach of a Premier League club for many years, that's for sure."

And the national team?

"Yes, I would be interested in becoming national coach but only if the atmosphere is good. And by that I mean that everyone, the officials, technical staff and players, should be ready to stick together to boost the national team."

Carefully chosen words which sum up the attributes of Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia.