Robert Gatt appointed MFA technical director

During the Executive Committee meeting, the MFA President, Norman Darmanin Demajo gave details of various meetings that were held recently between the MFA President and Robert Gatt, wherein they discussed and agreed on the values, objectives and policies that will be given a priority by the new Technical Director and Head of the Technical Centre.

These will include an ‘open house’ policy with subsidised coaching courses and continued professional education for coaches of all levels together with the re-introduction of the regional scouting and coaching concept, which system was abruptly terminated by the previous MFA administration.

The preparation of all representative national teams will remain a pillar priority and the MFA will invest in new methods and latest professional technology aimed at ensuring that all players will strive to reach peak performance on match day. The proposed measures include the investment and set-up of a sport science center, video editing facilities, computer based match analysis software programs and a learning center, as well as mental preparation techniques, life skills education and one to one mentoring for all players selected for National team duty.

The Executive Committee unanimously agreed on the engagement of Mr. Robert Gatt who is regarded as one of the most highly qualified and experienced Maltese coaches on the island. The MFA also believes that Mr. Robert Gatt has all the qualities and skills needed to successfully implement the policies as outlined above, and also to improve the relationship between the coaching staff at the Ta` Qali Technical Centre and the MFA member clubs by improving the communication that presently exists with the Clubs and their respective coaches.

Mr. Gatt will also seek to incorporate the functions of the Malta Football Coaches Association and integrate these within the new parameters of the Technical Centre that will seek to broaden its operations and yet operate more efficiently by making better use of all human resources.

The MFA has full confidence in Mr. Robert Gatt and assures him of the total support of the Association in this challenging appointment. The MFA is also confident that all Maltese coaches will fully endorse this appointment and offer their full support to Robert Gatt, who on his part, will remain committed to ensuring that the balance between National Team and club football is maintained and strengthened to ensure the development of the game at both levels, for the overall benefit of all football in Malta and Gozo.

Robert Gatt

Played as Goalkeeper for Zebbug Rangers, Floriana FC and Bkara FC.
Played more than 400 league games in Malta’s top divisions and also chosen to play for Malta’s national teams -16 times - Youths and Under 23 – and 7 times for the A Malta National A Team.

Qualified as football coach with the English F.A, as well as with the Malta F.A and presently is UEFA “A” Coach.

Qualified professional football physical trainer with the Italian F.A. (Coverciano)

Worked for 9 years with the Malta Football Association Technical Sector, with appointments as a National Team Head Coach for U16, U18, U21 and assistant national coach as well as a caretaker National Team coach.

Coached premier sides Birkirkara FC for 2 years, and Hibernians FC for 9 years helping them to win all the honours in Maltese football and introduced many young footballers that still play with the Malta National Team and with teams abroad.

He is also an instructor in UEFA courses for football coaches organized by the Malta Football Asssociation.

Author of a book on youth football development named ‘The Programming and Developing in Youth Football’. Also developed a computer software Named “Coach Asistant” to help the football coach to program, plan and control his team’s training preparation. Copies of the book and software were sold in Malta and abroad.