Stephen Azzopardi yesterday morning tendered his resignation as Birkirkara FC coach to the club's board during a meeting.

In a short statement, the club said that the coach did not agree with some proposals put forward by the board and had tendered his resignation.

The Board decided to accept his resignation and thanked him for his services during the past years since he joined the club.

The club also said it was appointing Dutchman Jan Artz as the club coach. He has already taken over although he arrived in Malta on Thursday and will lead the side in today's match against Marsaxlokk. Artz, who last year coached Floriana FC, met the players for the first time on Thursday evening. He had only seen them in action last season when the Stripes won the championship.

He takes over at a time when the club is struggling to find its form despite having more or less the same nucleus of players that helped the club win the title last season. His immediate task is to revive the club's fortunes by getting some positive results, thus rebuilding the morale of the team which is at its lowest ebb in recent years.

Azzopardi, who has been at the Stripes helm for the last five years and three months, had led the side to all that Maltese football offered. In fact, in five years, he guided the side to 12 successes – one league title, three FA Trophy wins, five successive Super Cup victories, two Super Five tournament wins and a Lowenbrau Cup success.

Asked yesterday what was the reason behind his resignation, Azzopardi said he felt he could not accept a proposal put forward by the club which would have seen Artz being given the same powers he enjoyed. "I could not accept the fact that I would not have had the final say in team selection. I would have gladly worked with Artz as my collaborator, but not as co-coach" he said.

Azzopardi also said he had no immediate plans for the future. "I am still under shock following that meeting. Until yesterday morning, I was preparing for today's match against Marsaxlokk," he said.