Birkirkara sack Festa and recall Paul Zammit as Head Coach

Birkirkara have parted ways with head coach Gianluca Festa and moved swiftly to reappoint Paul Zammit, the Premier League club confirmed on Sunday.

The decision follows Saturday’s 1–0 defeat to Marsaxlokk, a result that left the Stripes languishing in the lower half of the table with just three points from their opening three matches.

In a club statement, Birkirkara FC said that the contracts of head coach Gianluca Festa and assistant coach Alessandro Cardini were terminated with immediate effect, stressing that the decision was reached “mutually and amicably”.

The club also announced the return of Paul Zammit, who takes over first-team duties with immediate effect. Zammit will be assisted by Darren Farrugia, reviving a coaching partnership that previously enjoyed success at the club.

“Birkirkara FC remains fully committed to its sporting objectives and will continue working with determination to achieve its targets for the current season,” the statement added.

Zammit had been without a club since leaving Sliema Wanderers last month and is set to begin his third spell in charge of the Stripes, having previously led the team in 2011 and again in 2017.

He is expected to make his return to the Birkirkara bench on Tuesday when the Stripes face Tarxien Rainbows.