Jose Borg will continue as coach of Birkirkara women, the club announced.
Borg has extended his contract by another year as Birkirkara will continue to set their sights on further domestic silverware and more positive results in Europe.
“I talked to the players and to the committee and we agreed that it would make more sense if I remain another year and improve on what we have built last season,” Borg told the Times of Malta.
“We believe there is room for more improvement in all aspects – tactical, technically and physically, especially since we aim to win the semi-final of the first qualifying round of the Women’s Champions League if the draw is favourable.”
Speaking about the league, Borg said that the new league changes will make next season even more competitive and challenging.
The Times of Malta understands that next season’s women’s league, which shall start earlier in August rather than in September, will be played over the weekend – one game on Friday (Centenary Stadium) and two on Saturday (Mġarr Ground).
All seven teams will play two rounds against each other before the championship will be divided into two sections, with the top four to play each other in three rounds and the bottom three to face each other in three rounds as well.
“I agree with most of the changes except for the fact that majority of the games will be played at the Mġarr Ground,” Borg admitted.
“Obviously, I thank Mġarr for providing us with their pitch but the senior women’s league deserve to play at the Centenary Stadium. I had also suggested playing Sirens, Mosta or Dingli especially since these pitches have adequate dressing rooms and stands – consider that on a Saturday, if the people come to watch both games they will have to be on their feet for almost five hours.
At the same time, I like the idea of playing over the weekend like the women’s leagues across the world and at the same time I appreciate that there is being more acknowledgment from both media and the Malta FA itself towards the women’s game, especially when it comes to content and awards.”
Last season, Borg – a UEFA Pro license holder – guided the Stripes to a memorable season after winning the championship and the Super Cup.
Under his guidance, Birkirkara extended their league unbeaten run to 87 games – the fifth-longest and most active streak in women’s football.
He also managed to wrap up the season on a positive personal note as well, claiming the Assikura Women’s League’s best coach of Round 3.
“The women’s team committee will be formed by new people as we will embark on new challenges, including taking charge of all the girls young age groups while planning a long-term project for the senior side which includes nurturing more homegrown players for the first team as well,” he said.
Moreover, he steered Birkirkara to the first Maltese victory in the Women’s Champions League after beating Northern Ireland’s Glentoran in the first qualifying round.
The Stripes will be representing Malta in next season’s European competition, with the draws of the first qualifying round pencilled for June 30.
Asked about any potential arrivals ahead of their European expedition, Borg revealed that both Italians – Marta Grosso and Gaia Milan – will stay for another year having signed a two-year contract last season while January’s arrival Brisa Campos won’t return for another season.
