Birkirkara FC officially announced yesterday that they have appointed former Malta national team, Sliema, Brentford, Valletta and Floriana player John Buttigieg (photo) as their new coach.

The finalised deal saw Buttigieg sign a contract with Birkirkara till the end of the 2008/2009 season.

Presently Birkirkara lie bottom of the Championship Pool, well away from leaders Marsaxlokk.

This situation, and the fact that former coach Stephen Azzopardi stepped down after the club appointed Jan Artz as his coaching partner, lead the Stripes to look for a new coach.

Dutchman Jan Artz cannot coach the Premier club on his own since he does not possess the required qualifications. It is reliably understood that Artz, who is in Holland on business, terminated his connections with Birkirkara after Buttigieg preferred to lead the Stripes on his own.

The 43-year old football stalwart will be making his coaching debut in the Premier League and has the difficult task to boost the players’ morale after last week’s humiliation by Marsaxlokk.

Buttigieg already made it clear that only those players who deserve to play for the club will wear Birkirkara’s shirt under his charge.