The Malta Football Association is expecting national coach-to-be Pietro Ghedi, right, to come over to Malta to finalise negotiations over a contract which the association is offering the Italian – a former a national team and national Under 21 team coach.

Ghadein had led the Under 21 side between 1992 and 1993, before being appointed coach of the national team which he guided between 1993 and 1995.

MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo yesterday confirmed to The Malta Independent that the plan is to have Ghedin starting his job in Malta on 1 June, that is just one day before the friendly international against Luxembourg in the Grand Duchy, planned for 2 June.

Darmanin Demajo was not yet in a position to say when Ghedin will be arriving in Malta. “He still has to inform us when he plans to come over to finalise the negotiations which have been almost concluded,” he said.

When asked whether it would still be early for Ghedin to lead the side against Luxembourg after just one day of his appointment, the MFA boss said that they are planning a meeting between the association’s Technical Director Robert Gatt, who is the current interim coach, and Ghedin, during the latter’s visit.

He added: “We have already sent Ghedin some videos of the national team players during training and during some matches. Of course, we would like to see him here a couple of days before the match against Luxembourg so that he will also be able to meet the players. But in any case, it will be Ghedin who will lead the side in that match, barring any last minute set-ups which will hamper his official signature as national team coach.”