Branko Nisevic has been appointed assistant national coach, the Malta Football Association has announced.
The 46-year-old has already started working closely with Ray Farrugia, who was named Malta coach last Wednesday, ahead of the national team’s upcoming training camp, which gets underway next week at the Ta’ Qali training grounds and continues in Austria towards the end of the month. Nisevic is making a return to the Malta FA coaching set-up after serving as Malta Under-17 coach as well as assistant to former national team coach Pietro Ghedin between 2011 and 2013. Farrugia welcomed Nisevic’s appointment. “I’m delighted that Branko has accepted our proposal to become assistant national coach,” Farrugia told www.mfa.com.mt. “I know Branko very well as I was his coach during our time with Pietà Hotspurs as well as Sliema Wanderers. “We were also together in the first UEFA Pro Course organised by the Malta FA Technical Centre. “I have no doubt that, with his experience, technical and tactical knowhow, and his meticulous approach, Branko will be an asset for the national team.” Born in Serbia, Nisevic has spent most of his playing career in Malta, turning out for a number of clubs including Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians, Valletta, Pietà Hotspurs and Birkirkara before moving into coaching. As a coach, Nisevic has won the BOV Premier League title with Hibernians FC in season 2014-15. His last coaching post was with BOV Premier League club Gżira United. “I’m very honoured that I’ve been offered this job,” Nisevic said. “I’m looking forward to working with Ray and the other members of the technical staff, Ronald (Vella), Luca (Pagani) and Charles (Sciberras). “I’m aware that the national side is going through a difficult period but this is an added reason for us to give our best to try and lift the Maltese team.” Meanwhile, Ronald Vella, who already forms part of the Malta FA technical staff, has also joined Farrugia’s coaching team while Luca Pagani and Charles Sciberras have been confirmed as physical trainer and goalkeepers’ coach respectively.