Coach Branko Nisevic to leave Ħamrun Spartans
Branko Nisevic will not be in charge of Ħamrun Spartans next season, the Serbian coach announced during an interview with the national broadcaster at the end of the match.
The Serbian coach has just guided the Spartans to their ninth Premier League title when finishing with a commanding 19-point lead over Birkirkara besides leading the team to an historic qualification to the Play Off round of the UEFA Conference League, the best result ever attained by a Maltese club in a Euro competition.
However, when questioned at the end of the match about his future, Nisevic said that he is not part of the future of Ħamrun Spartans.
“The rumours were going around last two three months, we met four or five weeks ago me and the president and he explained to me what and how,” the Serbian coach said.
“I don’t know – the reason may not be logical but what can you do, we can choose where to work and the club is free to choose who to employ, no? We got a good co-operation and I am leaving the club on good spirits as we achieved a lot this, yeah, and I can say that I am proud.”
Asked in hindsight what he could have changed, Nisevic said: “At the end of last season we change a lot from the squad, and we found ourselves with a new group of players and it takes time to gel the team.
“I think that with a couple of additions this team can go into the group stages of the UEFA Conference League.”
Pressed further to say what was the real reason of his departure, Nisevic said: “It was nothing about tactics or result, it’s better if you ask the president.”
Asked about his plans, Nisevic said: “Right now it’s difficult to say what my future holds. Everyone wants to try himself abroad but I have to see how realistic it is.
“The other option is to take a short break. I have been three years working non-stop between Nadur and Hamrun and we will see but at the moment there is nothing concrete.
“My dream is to try my luck abroad.”
Nisevic joined the Spartans during the second part of the 2021-22 season when he had replaced Mark Buttigieg and managed to steer the club towards qualification to the UEFA Conference League when placing third in the Premier League.