Sliema Wanderers have decided to part ways with first team coach Paul Zammit, the Premier League club announced.
The decision comes just two days after the team’s shock exit in the Meridianbet FA Trophy when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Swieqi United.
“Sliema Wanderers Football Club would like to announce that, following discussions held in a positive and constructive spirit, the Club and Senior Team Head Coach Paul Zammit have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement.
“This decision was not taken lightly. After careful consideration, both parties concluded that this step is in the best interests of the Club as it continues to focus on its sporting objectives and long-term vision.
“Sliema Wanderers FC would like to place on record its sincere appreciation to Paul Zammit for his commitment, professionalism, and the work carried out during his time with the Club. We thank him for his efforts and dedication, and we wish him every success in his future professional endeavours.
“Further updates regarding the Senior Team’s technical setup will be communicated in due course.”
Zammit had been at the helm of Sliema Wanderers for the past three years, during which he steered the club back to Premier League football after their shock relegation to the Challenge League.
In his first season back in the top-flight, Zammit steered the team to third place in the Premier League and helped them win the FA Trophy.
Last season, Sliema Wanderers missed out on major domestic honours and qualification to European football despite a strong run in the second part of the season.
This summer, the club invested heavily in the squad and were one of the big spenders during last summer’s transfer window as they strengthened their squad with some top-quality signings such as goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi, wing back Thiago Espindola, midfielder Roko Prsa, and forward Luke Montebello, just to name a few.
These incomings handed coach Paul Zammit a very competitive squad and club president Keith Perry declared during the squad presentation that he expected the team to challenge for all major honours in Maltese football this season.
However, five months on, the season is heading in the opposite direction for the Blues as after losing the Jubilee Cup final to Valletta, they suffered more cup heartache on Saturday with a shock 2-1 defeat to Swieqi United, leaving the Premier League as their only realistic opportunity for silverware.
On Monday morning, Perry had told the Times of Malta that the situation was a complete disaster and that everyone should take full responsibility of the situation.
“The situation is a complete disaster, not just disappointing,” club president Keith Perry told the Times of Malta.
“A team of the calibre of Sliema Wanderers should never be eliminated in their first match of the FA Trophy. The elimination from the FA Trophy hurts a lot for our club, for whom the cup competition holds special significance.
“I don’t want to take anything away from Swieqi United, who played a great match but we expected much more from our players. The club administration has made great sacrifices this summer to bring in the right reinforcements, but so far, the team failed to deliver.
“We lost the Jubilee Cup final, and now we are out of the FA Trophy too, and that is not acceptable. All the players and the technical staff must take full responsibility, and I expect a strong response to try and turn the season around.”
The Wanderers have already completed one piece of business this month as they signed Serbian defender Dejan Djuric.
However, Perry said that the club will not be making many more transfer transactions this month as he feels the quality is there to turn the season around.
“After all the financial sacrifices we made last summer, it’s tough for us to make any more significant transfer business this month,” Perry said.
“We have already signed a Serbian defender, as we felt that we needed to strengthen that position, but I don’t believe that we will be involved in much more activity.
“I believe that the most important thing for us is to see how we can make this team start to perform to the best of its ability.
“The club’s executive committee has already met to discuss the current situation, and we will now be meeting the coaches and players and explaining to them what we expect from them.”
Perry confirmed to the Times of Malta that assistant coach Noel Turner will take charge of the team for Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Marsaxlokk.
