Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1489264
11 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 JANUARY 2023 step down was reached "after long de- liberation". He again denied allegations of wrong- doing. "I would like to reiterate unequiv- ocally, that not only have I not behaved in a manner that offends the dignity of any person sexual or otherwise, but nor has there been any allegation by MFA of any sexual abuse or harassment in my regard." Mangia said it is "regrettable that the situation created in these past weeks", risks disturbing the serenity within the MFA and the future progress of the Maltese team. Out with Mangia, in with Marcolini The Italian has now been replaced by compatriot Michele Marcolini, a former player who has played for a number of clubs in Italy, including Bari, Torino, Atalanta and Chievo Verona, and with junior Italian National Team selections. Marcolini has coached several Serie B and C teams and won the Coppa Italia Serie C with Piedmont club Alessandria in season 2017-18. Announcing his appointment, the MFA said Marcolini fits the managerial profile it was looking for. His appointment did not go down too well with a number of national team fol- lowers, who have criticised the "hurried decision". Despite coaching a number of second and third-tier Italian clubs, and playing elite football in Italy, he has not coached any top sides. His appointment came almost at the same time that the EURO 2024 fixtures were announced by UEFA. Malta kicks off its adventure away against North Macedonia on Thursday 23 March. Three days later, Malta's first home game at Ta' Qali will be against Italy. The next home game will be against England on Friday 16 June. Malta will play away against Italy on Saturday 14 October and against Eng- land in Wembley on 17 November. The draw has pitted Malta for the first time in the same group as Italy and Eng- land, to the delight of football enthusi- asts. Malta Football Association President Bjorn Vassallo, who was present for the draw, described it "a historic draw". With the new coach yet to make his de- but, it remains to be seen whether he will opt for continuity from his prede- cessor, and manage a more attacking side, or go for a more defensive style of football associated with Italian manage- rial style. MFA president confident on new ap- pointment Speaking to MaltaToday, the MFA President said Marcolini's appointment was in line with its strategic objectives already set for the period 2020-24. "A major goal is to strengthen the national teams at all levels through a developed unified game philosophy. Today, three years from the start of implementation, the performances and results already show that the work carried out by the MFA Technical Centre in collaboration with the clubs has given our national teams the needed identity." "When I was elected president, among the first things I worked on was to setup a technical department that can give us unison towards a common objective – build from the bottom and sustain this work with all our resources through a player dedicated pathway so that the legacy would see our national teams become consistently competitive. Al- though it's a long-term strategy, we have already seen improvements and now Michele Marcolini will be taking over with the aim of continuing this job," Vassallo said. "The idea from the outset was to have a game play which would be consolidat- ed for all teams, obviously depending on the skills of the squad and the oppo- nents' tactical shape. Coaches can mod- ify the system accordingly. It's mainly starting with three players at the back and building from deep in our half with ample space for possession and attack- ing through the flanks." He said this "unified game philoso- phy" must be drilled at every level. "We wanted to stop this idea that we change our playing style according to our oppo- nents, and to have that mentality, you need to practice it at every level. Today we are not perfect but we are more at ease at kick-off knowing that we have to follow a game plan which many times is also entertaining for those watching at the stadium or remotely." Vassallo said Marcolini ticked all the boxes when it came to continuing in the same style adopted in 2020. "He might not have the international experience at national team level, but he played so many Serie A matches that he can read and impose the tactical shapes with no trouble." kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt New head coach Michele Marcolini with MFA President Bjorn Vassallo