Malta coach Dusan Fitzel is stepping down from national coach to go back to his native country, the Czech Republic, where he will be undergoing a serious operation on 7 August.

Explaining his decision in a news conference yesterday evening, Fitzel said that he had been under medical control for the last seven years, that is, before he took up his appointment as Malta coach four years ago. "I have been suffering from this kidney problem for a long time, and after the last check ups back home a few weeks ago my doctors strongly indicated that an operation was needed and had to be done immediately.

"I discussed the situation with the president, Dr Mifsud, and I have now decided to leave Malta on 6 August. The next day, I will undergo the operation. I am told that if my condition gets better, I will be able to come back and act as Technical Adviser.

"In the meantime, I also suggested to Dr Mifsud to appoint John Buttigieg and Carmel Busuttil in my stead. I know them both as they have attended courses and seminars. I also know them well as coaches, especially Buttigieg who has done a great job at Birkirkara. I am sure I am leaving the national team in very good hands," he said emotionally.

He went on to wish Buttigieg and Busuttil a good time with the national team and declared: "It is my intention to continue supporting them and helping them in their new job, of course, if I can."

He described his stay in Malta as a "nice four years. I have had a good relationship with the MFA as well as the press. He also said that his most memorable moment at the helm of the Malta team was when Malta obtained that exciting 2-2 draw against Turkey at Ta' Qali.

Earlier, Dr Mifsud said that he had been told by Fitzel that he might have to go back to his country because of this kidney problem.

The MFA president said that in consultation with Fitzel, he had approached John Buttigieg and later Carmel Busuttil to see whether they were in a position to accept an offer to become Malta's national coaches.

He added: "At first we were thinking of 1 January 2009 as the date to start their contract though Busuttil had a deal with Pieta H. Football School. Then Fitzel came back from his holidays last Thursday. We met on Friday and informed me of the situation. In the knowledge that the national team has some important commitments lined up, both friendly and competitive, we decided to offer the post to Buttigieg and Busuttil, the former as coach and the latter as his assistant. They accepted after just a few hours. They will be signing a five-year deal with the association, the first of such duration in Maltese football history. Of course, Fitzel will be Technical Adviser, always depending on what happens after his operation. Buttigieg and Busuttil are to take over from 1 August and this after Busuttil was released from his contract at Pieta Hotspurs, by Edwin Schembri, president of the club, who made this gesture in the interests of Maltese football in general."

Dr Mifsud said Buttigieg will be attending a one-year course with the Italian Federation, starting next November in order to get his professional licence. "Later we will also be sending Busuttil to attend a similar course," he added.

Dr Mifsud thanked Fitzel for his services to Maltese football and the association saying that he will be remembered for the results obtained by the team in the last European Championship qualifying phase where Malta obtained seven points - the highest ever in a competitive group.

Dr Mifsud also spoke about another appointment, this time in connection with Futsal (five-a-side football). He said that Vic Hermans, from The Netherlands, is the new national coach who will be taking over from Michael Stritz, who is returning home.

The Dutchman has coached in the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Belgium, Malaysia and Iran, among others, since the early 1990s. He said he hopes to get the same good results here as those he had achieved in those countries where he worked in the past.