“Maltese Football Needs Coherence, Not Cosmetic Change” – André Schembri

Former Malta international and current Nea Salamis Ammochostos assistant coach André Schembri has issued a stark but heartfelt reflection on the state of Maltese football, arguing that the country’s struggles stem not from a lack of effort, but from a lack of unity and direction.

Schembri, who has long been vocal about the structural weaknesses in the local game, says his criticism has always come from a place of care. “I love my country, and I want to see it progress,” he notes. But according to him, Malta operates within a fragmented football culture where young players are exposed to multiple coaches, conflicting methodologies, and competing philosophies. Clubs, private academies, and schools all play a role, yet no single entity assumes full responsibility for a player’s long-term development.

“Who is tracking their progress? Who provides one clear direction? The answer is simple: no one,” Schembri stresses.

He argues that Malta does not lack passion or manpower, but rather coherence, alignment, and the courage to rethink the system entirely. Small adjustments, he warns, will not be enough. “Until we build a unified structure, results will continue to reflect exactly where we are.”

#MaltaDaily