The Malta FA announced today that Michele Marcolini has been appointed as its new National Teams Head Coach.

The 47-year-old Italian will be contracted until the end of 2024 and will take up the new role as of 1 January. 

Marcolini replaces Devis Mangia who resigned in November. Mangia, who had been in the post since the end of 2019, when he succeeded Ray Farrugia, was embroiled in a scandal after it was alleged that he had made advances of a sexual nature on a player in the Malta squad. Mangia denies the claim, and an investigation is ongoing.

Michele Marcolini is a former player who has played for a number of clubs in Italy, including Bari, Torino, Atalanta and Chievo Verona, and with junior Italian National Team selections.

Marcolini has coached several Serie B and C teams and won the Coppa Italia Serie C with Alessandria in season 2017-18. 

Commenting on Marcolini’s appointment as national coach, Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo said: ‘We are very pleased that Michele Marcolini has accepted our offer to become the new National Teams Head Coach. We have gone through a thorough process to arrive at this decision. His profile fits the requirements set by the Association, focused on the long-term development of our elite football players. The Malta FA’s priority is to ensure that its technical project proceeds as planned in line with our strategy to achieve a unified game philosophy for all the National teams.”

“Besides his coaching qualifications, Marcolini brings a wealth of football experience having played in the top tiers of Italian football for almost two decades.” 

Michele Marcolini will be joined by Davide Mandelli as Assistant Coach. Mandelli is also a former player who started his football career with Monza, and then moved on to play for Serie A and Serie B clubs Torino, Siena and Chievo Verona. Following retirement, he followed Marcolini’s footsteps and assisted him in a number of clubs where he worked as a football manager. Mandelli will join the current technical staff as of 1 January.

Coaches Marcolini and Mandelli will be presented to the local media in the next days.