Emilio De Leo (centre) is Malta’s new manager (Malta FA)The Malta Football Association has appointed former Bologna and AC Milan coach Emilio De Leo as their new national team manager, with the 46-year-old Italian facing a baptism of fire against Finland and Poland in March’s World Cup qualifiers.
De Leo, who built his reputation working alongside the late Sinisa Mihajlovic at several Serie A clubs, arrives with Malta seeking to build on recent improvements under caretaker boss Davide Mazzotta, who guided the team to second place in their UEFA Nations League group following Michele Marcolini’s September dismissal.
“I’m honoured to have been appointed national coach of Malta,” said De Leo, who also served on Mihajlovic’s coaching staff with the Serbia national team. “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.” De Leo will be officially presented in a press conference tomorrow afternoon.
De Leo is highly-regarded in Italian football, the Malta FA said, enhancing his reputation after working for many years alongside the late 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 UEFA Pro Licence holder emerged as the standout candidate from a thorough recruitment process that began in November, impressing an advisory panel that included former national team figures with his tactical vision and methodology.
Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo said: “De Leo not only satisfied the established criteria in terms of experience, knowhow 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.”
The appointment represents a complete overhaul of Malta’s coaching setup, with De Leo bringing in Pietro Matafora and former Napoli midfielder Mirko Valdifiori as assistants. The reshuffle sees Mazzotta, who steadied the ship with a crucial 1-0 Nations League victory over Moldova and a friendly win against Liechtenstein, taking charge of the Under-21s.
De Leo inherits a side showing signs of progress following a turbulent period that saw Marcolini dismissed with three months remaining on his contract after a damaging 2-0 defeat in Moldova threatened their Nations League promotion hopes. Though Malta ultimately finished second in their group, Mazzotta’s subsequent results have provided foundations for his successor to build upon.
The new manager’s first challenge comes in the form of March’s World Cup qualifiers, with home advantage against Finland before a daunting trip to face Robert Lewandowski’s Poland. Malta will also face Lithuania and either Spain or the Netherlands in their qualifying group.
De Leo and his staff will officially begin their tenure on 1 February, with the Italian tasked not only with first-team duties but also overseeing Malta’s entire technical setup as they seek to continue their recent upward trajectory.
