Gzira United have appointed Jesmond Zerafa as their new coach. Zerafa replaces Darren Abdilla who handed his resignation following the Maroons’ first defeat this season – against Hibernians last Sunday.

Zerafa started his coaching career with Tarxien Rainbows before joining Qormi in 2007 where he led the club to promotion to the Premier League and retaining Premier League status. Zerafa then moved to his boyhood club Valletta in season 2010/11. With the Citizens, he won two successive championships but returned with Qormi in October 2012, signing a contract until the end of the season. The following season, Zerafa took over as coach of Balzan in October, leading the club to a Championship Pool spot. In June 2014, he joined Naxxar Lions.

Jesmond Zerafa had a third spell with Qormi – a short one between June and October 2015. Mid-way through season 2016/17, he joined Tarxien Rainbows but he stepped down in March.

Gzira United are currently third in the BOV Premier League, six points behind joint-leaders Hibernians and Valletta. Under the guidance of Darren Abdilla, the Maroons won nine matches and drew seven, losing just one game. They reached the FA Trophy quarter-final stage where they will be facing Pietà Hotspurs.