Birżebbuġa St Peter’s have appointed Luciano Santana Martel as their new head coach following a difficult start to the VBet Malta Premier season.

Martel has agreed an initial three-year contract, with the club holding an option to extend the agreement for a further two years.

He takes charge of the first team with immediate effect as Birżebbuġa look to turn around their fortunes following four consecutive defeats.

Martel succeeds Edgar Degabriele, who stepped down from his post earlier this week following the team’s difficult start to life in the top flight.

Despite the poor opening to the season, Degabriele left the club after overseeing a successful period which included promotion to the Premier League and victory in the Challenge Cup.

Birżebbuġa described Martel’s appointment as an important step in the club’s future direction and long-term ambitions.

The club said a more detailed statement introducing their new coach and outlining their plans for the next phase of their development would be issued shortly.

Birżebbuġa will now hope the appointment can provide an immediate lift as they seek their first points of the Premier League campaign.