Ħamrun Spartans sack Alessandro Zinnari, appoint Winston Muscat as new head coach

Ħamrun Spartans have sacked Alessandro Zinnari and appointed Winston Muscat as their new head coach.

The Malta champions decided to make a change at the helm of their technical set-up following Sunday’s 2-1 reverse to Mosta at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

For the Spartans this was their second successive defeat that left the team four points adrift of leaders Floriana with two matches to go until the end of the Closing Round first phase.

“The Club announces that it has decided to part ways with Alessandro Zinnari with immediate effect” Ħamrun Spartans said in a statement.

“We thank him for his dedication and contributions and wish him the very best in his professional career. We are pleased to announce the appointment of Winston Muscat as our new Head Coach.

“During his tenure, Mr. Zinnari played a crucial role in eading the team to victory in the Super Cup against Sliema Wanderers as well as reaching the semi-final Stage of the FA Trophy.

“During his time he also provided significant playing time for home grown talent from the club academy.

“He also enhanced the technical abilities of individual players

“We extend our gratitude to Mr. Alessandro Zinnari for his efforts and look forward to a new chapter under the leadership of Mr. Winston Muscat.”

Sunday’s defeat was hard to fathom for the Spartans’ top hierarchy who decided a change was needed to revive the team’s aspirations of successfully defending the league title they won in the last two seasons.

It is understood that the club are unhappy with the team’s performances, particularly given the huge investment done during the January transfer window which saw the team bring in six new overseas players.

The club top hierarchy feel that the team is not expressing an effective style of football given the high-level of talent at the disposal of the technical staff.

Zinnari was installed as the new Ħamrun Spartans coach at the start of the season, when he replaced Luciano Zauri as first team coach.

The Italian coach was beset by injury in the Opening Round but still managed to lead the team to the Top Six, where despite fielding several young players grabbed wins against top sides like Floriana, Hibernians, and Birkirkara.

But Zinnari’s greatest success was leading the side to victory in the Super Cup final following a 2-0 win over Sliema Wanderers.

Ħamrun Spartans will be the second club managed by Muscat this season as the Maltese coach was in charge of Marsaxlokk but lost his job in the early part of the season after the team suffered five successive defeats.

However, during his time at Marsaxlokk he helped the southseasiders to return to European football when they qualified to the UEFA Conference League last summer.

Muscat will make his debut on the Spartans’ bench on Thursday when they face Sliema Wanderers.