New national coach Dusan Fitzel, from the Czech Republic, was yesterday presented to the press by the MFA President, Dr Joe Mifsud, during a news conference yesterday evening.

The Malta Independent had carried the news exclusively in its edition of Wednesday 11 January after the Czech coach was reported to have reached agreement with the Malta FA in a news item on the FIFA official website.

Dr Mifsud said yesterday that Carmel Busuttil had been earmarked as national coach for the post-Heese era, but no agreement had been reached after talks in March/April.

The MFA president said there had been some very well known persons who were contacted together with those who contacted the MFA on this job.

"Fitzel was one of them and the Bureau and the Executive of the Association approved his appointment after Heese had told them (following an interview) that the man from the Czech Republic had met all the criteria which the association had established for the coach's appointment. Fizel has now signed a two-year deal which expires on 31 December 2007 with the possibility of his contract being extended by a further two years. This was a calculated risk, but we are all hopeful that Fitzel will continue the job started by Heese both as national coach and as Technical Director," said Dr Mifsud.

Fitzel also addressed the press briefly and said that since being here for three days late last month, he has been eager to get to know more about Maltese football. "I want to improve myself and also Maltese football. We will work the Czech way and I hope this will suit Maltese football. I promise I will do my best," he said.

Fitzel, who will be training the squad for the first time tomorrow, added that he will continue building on what Heese had done. He added: "I would need at least one month to get to know the players well. At first it is obvious I will be working with the same squad."

Asked whether next week's European Championship draw would effect his system, depending on the group's opponents, he said he would prefer to see the outcome of the draws first. "However, I prefer to have some teams which we might be able to beat," he said.

The national team will next be in action in the February-March tournament organised by the MFA at Ta' Qali. Dr Mifsud said: "It will be Fitzel's first assignment as national coach. So far, we cannot mention the names of the participants as there is no official confirmation yet, because of next week's draws," he said.