Interview with the Team Manager, Michael Valenzia
by Ayrton Galea - 3rd February 2016
The January Transfer Market came to an end on Monday, so we decided to introduce to our readers one of the persons who was involved behind the scenes in of one the busiest transfer periods for our Club, Senior Team's Manager, Mr. Michael Valenzia.
1. Who is Michael Valenzia?
I am a 33 year old guy who is very ambitious and constantly seeking to overcome challenges. I live life to the full and enjoy a hectic lifestyle.
2. Can you give us an overview about your playing career? What do you think was the highlight of your career as a player?
I had a very normal playing career that I thoroughly enjoyed. Football has always been a big part of my life and I began playing at the age of 5 when I joined Sliema Wanderers. With Sliema, I won all the youth categories and eventually played for the senior team on a few occasions. One of my best memories was being part of the match-day squad in the trophy final, ironically against Birkirkara which we lost 1-0 with a goal scored by my friend and business partner Matthew Calascione, who is now our Vice President. After Sliema, I had the opportunity to play for Balzan, Msida and Melita in the Premier league and also Melita and St. Andrews in the first division. The highlight of my playing career was in 2013 when we beat Valletta 2-1 with Melita when nobody gave us a chance and I think that on a personal level it was my best ever performance on a football pitch.
3. How, and why did you join Birkirkara FC?
I have always secretly supported Birkirkara from afar and when the opportunity came to become their Team Manager I could not turn it down. It was Dr. Adrian Delia and Matthew Calascione who approached me in the summer as I had decided to stop playing but wanted to remain in football.
4. Can you explain in detail your position with our Club?
My role is that of Team Manager. I can honestly say that it is full of challenges and very demanding. I can best describe it as being the link between the technical and playing staff and our committee. I have a very close relationship with most of the people involved and have now been able to combine both parts of the job to the best of my ability.
5. What led to a change in Head Coach and a complete re-shuffle of players in the January Transfer Market?
There are many reasons why decisions are taken. In this particular case the club felt that with regards to the playing staff it was time to freshen up as some of those who left had been here for a few years. Some of the foreign players that moved on did not figure in the new coach's plans and I believe that the coach should have the players that he wants day in day out and we were able to accommodate him in this regard.
With regards to the Head Coach, I had and still have a very close relationship with our ex coach Giovanni Tedesco who will forever be remembered by Birkirkara supporters for the historical victory over West Ham. Unfortunately circumstances dictated that there was a need to go in another direction and I feel that the appointment of Drazan Bezek was a good appointment by the club as he has instilled a sense of calm amongst those involved with the playing staff and hopefully we will soon see an upward turn in the team's fortunes.
6. How do you describe this January's Transfer Market for our Club? How intense was it?
Hectic is the first word that springs to mind. January was always going to be an interesting month for all those associated with the club and I can say that we are very fortunate since we have so many people who give a helping hand that makes the work much easier to handle. We brought in no fewer than nine new players, ironically the same amount as those that left the club. That obviously means that we had eighteen separate negotiations and these I can assure you take time, and are only possible with the help of very dedicated people.
7. With the Transfer Market now closed, are you happy with reinforcements made? Did the Club cover all its team's weak points in your opinion?
In my opinion what we as a group managed to achieve in four weeks is nothing short of remarkable and I must admit I sometimes doubted that all this could be achieved in such a short space of time. I am personally very happy with all the work done and feel that once the team gels then we shall be a match for anybody.
8. How important were the signing of Maltese duo Matthew Guillaumier and Ryan Darmanin?
I think that both were very important. In my opinion Matthew Guillaumier is the best player of his generation and we beat stiff completion from Valletta and Hibs which makes it even better. Matthew has signed a long term deal with the club and I am sure that he will go on to have a great career. Ryan Darmanin is a very experienced striker who will give us more options in attack. Ryan was desperate to join the club and has slotted into the team without any problems. I wish them both the best of luck.
9. Can you tell us your first impression about the last two signings, that is, Matija Smrekar and L'Imam Seydi?
It is still very early to give an opinion as both have only had a few sessions since arriving late last week. I have no doubt however that both will add a great deal to our team. The coach wanted them to join and we worked very hard to secure their services.
10. Following the departure of a number of Maltese players and the arrival of several foreign players, does it mean that our Club will be making full use of the rule of playing seven foreigners at one go?
That is a question that you will need to direct to the coach. We never get involved in the decisions taken by the coaching staff.
11. What are your comments about the goal-less draw against Floriana?
Floriana are a tough team to play against. Our two goalless draws this season are proof of this. I believe that we lacked an attacking threat in this particular game and hopefully this will change in the next few games. That said the team was very compact and very aggressive to win the individual battles on the pitch. We are coming from a very positive run that began after the league defeat against Valletta on the 5th December which included seven wins and one draw. Our form is good and we are confident that our performances shall only improve.
12. What are your predictions about the up-coming match against Balzan?
It will be another tough match. Balzan are a team on the up and have strengthened further during the January transfer window. We go into every match with one ambition, to win, and Saturday shall be no different. It will be an interesting match, apart from the fact that Edison Bilbao and Paul Fenech shall be playing against their old clubs for the first time. The first round victory over Balzan was one of our best performances this season, and I am confident that we can repeat that performance once again.
13. Following this re-shuffle, did the Club's targets change?
The clubs targets are exactly the same. With regards to the League, until it is mathematically possible we shall challenge to win every single match and then see where that takes us. We are also one of the last eight teams left in the Trophy following the victory over Valletta and we are prepared to tackle any opponent that we shall come up against during Wednesday's quarter final draw.
14. What is your message to the supporters?
The Birkirkara supporters are our extra player on the pitch. Without them we would not be able to perform to the best of our abilities. We need them and I ask them to stand by the team as they have always done. There will be difficult moments especially with all the changes we have made, however I am convinced that with their help we are better than anyone competing against us and in the end I know who will be the last team standing. WE ARE BIRKIRKARA!
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