Malta FA names Emilio De Leo as new national team coach

Former interim coach Mazzotta named U-21 coach

The Malta Football Association has announced the appointment of Emilio De Leo as the new head coach of the national teams and technical director.

The local governing body of football has been on the lookout for the ideal candidate to take over the reins of the national team following the departure of Michele Marcolini last September. Since then, the national team was under the charge of Davide Mazzotta and Ernesto Chevanton who filled the void as interim coaches until the end of November.

But now, the MFA announced that they found the man to lead the national team in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, which get under way in March.

“The appointment of De Leo follows the recommendations of an advisory panel set up to evaluate the final candidates for these important roles within the technical organigramme in sync with the Association’s continued investment in its technical projects,” an MFA statement said.

“Following his presentation to the Malta FA Bureau this evening, De Leo will meet the members of the Executive Board tomorrow followed by a media press conference.

A UEFA Pro Licence holder, De Leo, 46 is highly-regarded in Italian football, enhancing his reputation after working for many years alongside the late Sinisa Mihajlovic, his long-term mentor, at renowned clubs, including AC Milan, Torino FC, Bologna FC and UC Sampdoria.

De Leo also has international experience as he was a prominent member of Mihajlovic’s coaching staff during the latter’s spell in charge of the Serbia national team in 2012-2013.”

The MFA said that De Leo will bring his extensive football knowledge and top-level experience into his new role as head coach of the national teams and technical director. The governing body also announced that Mazzotta has been appointed as the new U-21 coach.

“He will lead the Malta FA’s technical set-up which comprises four new appointees, including Davide Mazzotta, who will take over the Malta U-21 team, succeeding Ivan Woods who will be one of the assistant coaches of the senior side alongside Pietro Matafora and Mirko Valdifiori.”

Bjorn Vassallo, the Malta FA President, said Emilio De Leo has been the stand-out candidate throughout the selection process which was very thorough.

“The advisory panel set up to assess the shortlisted candidates had very clear guidelines on the qualities and values we were looking for in our new national coach based on the strategic objectives and goals for our technical sector,” he said.

“De Leo not only satisfied the established criteria in terms of experience, know-how and qualifications but greatly impressed the advisory panel with his strong presentation explaining his football methodology and how he could help us climb the ranking.

“We’re very pleased that we have managed to attract a coach of De Leo’s stature to lead our national team and technical organigramme which has been strengthened with the appointment of three new coaches, including Davide Mazzotta who is taking charge of the U-21 national team.

“Fundamentally, the new technical structure underlines the Malta FA’s strong commitment towards our national teams, at all levels, player development and the technical set-up as a whole.”

On his part, De Leo said that he was honoured to be offered the job and said that it’s going to be a very challenging job.

Emilio De Leo said: “I’m honoured to have been appointed national coach of Malta. I know that the Maltese people are very passionate about football, they love their national team and for me it is a privilege but also a great responsibility to be the national team coach.

“I was impressed with the professional approach adopted by the Malta FA throughout the recruitment process. This speaks volumes not only of the association’s vision but also of the exacting standards expected of the coaches working within the national teams’ set-up.

“I am fully aware that this is a very challenging job but I firmly believe in this project and, together with my coaching set-up, we will be doing everything in our power to help Malta become successful.”

The Malta FA said that the new coaching roles have been carefully studied and adapted to further improve synergy and coherence within the technical set-up.

“The process to recruit a new national coach began in November, just after the national team’s last UEFA Nations League qualifier,” the MFA said.

“The shortlisted candidates underwent a comprehensive evaluation process conducted by the advisory panel which included top Malta FA officials, a former national coach, a former national team player and an experienced foreign technical consultant.

“De Leo, Matafora and Valdifiori, who played for clubs like Napoli and Empoli in the Serie A and also represented Italy, will start work on February 1, 2025.

“In addition to his job as assistant coach to De Leo with the senior national team, Matafora, who has held various roles related to player development, will also take up the position of grassroots specialist.”

Malta will kick off their European qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup with a home date against Finland on March 21 followed by an away game against Poland three days later.

The other teams in Group G are Lithuania and the losing team of UEFA Nations League QF1 between Spain and the Netherlands.

Malta U-21 role

The U-21 job is a new role for coach Mazzotta following his short but positive spell as interim national team coach, having also served as assistant coach between 2020 and 2023.

His appointment as Malta U-21 coach gives Mazzotta the opportunity to continue his good work with younger players at a crucial stage of their pathway from youth to senior international football.

The draws for the 2027 UEFA Under-21 European Championship are scheduled to take place on February 6 in Nyon.