Darren Abdilla no longer Gżira United coach

Maroons advanced to FA Trophy last 16 earlier this week.

Darren Abdilla has stepped down from his role as Gżira United coach, the Maroons announced on Wednesday.

“Today, with mixed emotions, we at Gzira United Football Club announce the departure of Coach Darren Abdilla. As he steps down from his role, we close a chapter that has been nothing short of remarkable in our club’s history,” the statement opened.

The news comes just a couple of days after Abdilla guided the Maroons into the last 16 of the FA Trophy, having defeated Fgura United 2-0.

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“Over the past three years, Coach Abdilla has been more than just the longest-serving coach in the Premier League. His vision and leadership have propelled Gzira United to new heights, consistently securing top positions that have enabled us to compete in prestigious European Competitions,” the statement added.

” His dedication is reflected in the more than 100 competitive games he has passionately coached, leaving a legacy of commitment and excellence. Under his guidance, we’ve seen extraordinary success in European competitions – advancing through five challenging rounds and reaching the third qualifying round in two consecutive years.”

In fact, Abdilla has always managed to at least advance a round in Europe while managing to guide Gżira into the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League both last season and this season.

Between 2020 and 2024, Abdilla oversaw Gżira for 113 matches where he picked up 55 victories and 24 draws in all competitions.

“This impressive journey has culminated in Gzira United achieving the highest ranking among Maltese football clubs in the UEFA 5-Year Club Ranking 2024, a proud milestone for our club,” Gżira’s statement continued.

“As we bid farewell to Coach Abdilla, we express our deepest gratitude for his unwavering dedication, passion, and the unforgettable journey he has led. His influence has been profound – as a mentor, a leader, and an inspiration to our players, staff, and the entire Gzira United community.

Thank you, Coach Darren, for every moment, every victory, and every lesson. Your legacy will continue to inspire us. You will forever be a cherished part of the Gzira United family.”

In the Premier League, Gżira are ninth with 11 points after 12 outings.

They face league leaders Floriana this weekend.