Updated: Doncic starts his work at Valletta FC as Toze Mendes departs

Danilo Doncic has been unveiled as the new Valletta FC coach in a statement by the Premier Leauge club as the Serbian arrived in Malta to start his new job at the capital club.

The former Valletta FC striker was offered the job of first-team coach by the Citizens as the Premier League outfit looks to turn the tide at the club after a disappointing run of results which saw the team slip back in the race for the Championship Pool.

On Wednesday, the Times of Malta had reported that Valletta had verbally agreed with Doncic to take charge of the team for a second term and the Serbian landed in Malta yesterday where he put pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season.

Just a few hours after his arrival, Doncic immediately started his work at Valletta as he conducted the team’s first training session at the Dingli Ground as they step up their preparations for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Sirens at the National Stadium (kick-off: 6pm).

Earlier in the day, Valletta announced that they had reached an agreement with coach Toze Mendes to go separate ways.

The Portuguese coach has been under severe pressure in recent weeks after the poor run of results attained by Valletta FC.

Last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Gudja United turned out to be the last straw for the Valletta FC top hierarchy who decided that a change at the helm of the team was needed to revive the side’s chances of pushing for a place in the Championship Pool.

“Valletta FC would like to announce that they reached a mutual agreement with coach Toze Mendes to terminate their contract,” the Premier League club announced in a statement.

“The club would like to wish Toze all the best for his future endeavours”

On Thursday, Valletta FC top officials met with Toze Mendes to finalise the Portuguese coach’s departure and an agreement was reached between the two parties.

Mendes informed the players of the club’s decision to part ways of his services and wished them the best of luck for the future.

Toze Mendes was appointed as Valletta coach in December 2020 when he took over the reins of the team from Gilbert Agius who had stepped in for the job after Jesmond Zerafa had resigned from his post.

Rui Duarte, who occupied the post of assistant coach of Mendes, will remain at Valletta FC in his role of physical trainer.