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Hamrun coach makes fresh start after B’kara sacking

Newly-appointed Hamrun Spartans Coach, Atanas Marinov, admits that he doubts whether the club will win the league this season. But, he tells RAY ABDILLA, he still hopes to help them return to their days of glory and to finish as high as possible this season.

Atanas Marinov was named as the new Hamrun Spartans coach on Wednesday, 4 July for the coming season after signing a two-year contract with the club.

Hamrun have also added three new players to their ranks by acquiring the services of defender Graham Bencini, from Birkirkara, Zurrieq striker Nikolai Kirilov and Argentine striker Cesar Paiber, now holder of a Maltese passport.

Marinov, a former St Patrick and Birkirkara coach, succeeds Andy Weavill who stepped down from the post at the end of last season.

Hamrun president, Victor Tedesco, confirmed Marinov`s appointment, saying said they chose the Bulgarian because `he is the right man to turn the team into a competitive outfit`.

"We are delighted to have secured the services of Marinov because we believe he has the qualities to bring back the glory days to Hamrun," Tedesco said. "He is an experienced coach who knows what it takes to achieve success."

The Spartans` job will provide Marinov with a chance to show his true worth after a disappointing end to his experience with Birkirkara with whom he won the league championship in his first season in charge.

The attacking department was one of the weakest points in the Spartans` team last season when they scored just 28 goals in the league, the second lowest behind relegated Xghajra.
But the new committee has already started to make amends in this regard and secured the signature of Bulgarian Kirilov. The latter has already signed a two-year contract with the club.

Tedesco also confirmed that Paiber will return to the club next season, after he acquired Maltese citizenship by marrying a local girl
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Did it ever cross your mind that you might not get a coaching job in Malta?

I always believed in my capabilities and although I was waiting in the wings I was always confident that someone would contact me. I also had contacts from Bulgaria but, having said that, I really wanted another opportunity in Malta.

How do Birkirkara FC compare with Hamrun FC?

I only took over my new job recently so I can’t compare the sides at the moment. But my first impressions are that enthusiasm here is good and the people are hungry for success.
What about the supporters? Are they taking an interest in the team at the moment?

Most definitely. Everyone knows that the Hamrun support-base is one of the best on the island. After winning so much in the eighties, they are eager to bounce back, and that is what I will try to help them do.

You have already made some new signings. But are there any other players that you would like to have in your team for the new season?

Yes. I am a great fan of Pintac. But there are others and if Pintac is not available, we can still find strong players.

Besides Valletta, Sliema and Birkirkara, do you see any other contenders for the league title?

No. Those are the three strongest. They will the most difficult sides to beat and any one of them could definitely win the title next season.

How well do you know your players?

I know the ones we signed from Birkirkara very well. I am in the process of getting to know the others.

Was it difficult not coaching for quite some time?

Yes, admittedly, it was a bit. It was made more difficult because a club whom I had good relations with sacked me. There were no problems and I think I did well with them. I helped them win the league for the very first time in the club’s history.”

Do you think Hamrun Spartans will be strong enough to survive in the Premier League?
Yes, I believe so.

Before coaching you were a very good player in Bulgaria. With whom did you play in your native country?

I practically always played in the Premier League. I played for Botev Plovdiv, Lokomotiv Plovdiv and the Under 21 national team. I was also called up for the national side, but got injured and had to stop playing. I then started a course in coaching and graduated from the Bulgarian Sports Academy.

And what is your coaching history?

I have been coaching for the past 14 years. I started as an assistant coach for Lokomotiv Plovdiv. The famous Bonev was coach during that time. I coached at Spartak Plovdiv for two years and in Libya for three years. I then went back to Bulgaria and coached Arda for two years. Subsequently I came to Malta and this is my sixth year. I coached St Patrick for three years, Birkirkara for two and now Hamrun.

Practically all the Premier League sides are buying new players. When analysing what has happened in the transfer market, do you think Hamrun will be competitive?

Many things could change between now and when the Premier League Championship kicks-off. We’ll have to wait and see.

What do you think of the standard of Maltese football?

It has definitely improved since I came here six years ago.

What position in the league are you aiming for?

As high as possible. I do not think we are capable of winning the league yet, but we could still spring a surprise.

Will you feel nervous when you play Birkirkara?

No. It will be fun. Although they sacked me I have got nothing against them.