Interview: Mr. Joe Gerada (Coach)

After concluding a successful season with a promotion, rabat2.cjb.net has decided to interview the secret behind this achievement Mr. Joe Gerada, the Rabat coach.

First of all welcome and thanks for accepting my invitation. This is your first season here at Rabat. What brought you to takeover the Rabat team?

When I was approached by the Rabat committee they told me that they wanted to build a team with youngsters and I was ready to commit myself for this challenge.

Joe Gerada was also a player. Can you please tell us of your experience on the pitch and do you remember any good memories?

I used to play with Qormi Fc for 15 years, with Imqabba I played a season and ended my carrier as a player with Luxol St.Andrews in the Premier Division. I used to play as a mid-field attacker and I also played for 2 seasons with the under 18 Malta National team. With Qormi Fc I won 2 promotions and the second division knock-out. The best experience I’ve ever had was when I trained with Pele when he visited Malta. As a coach I won the second division Knock-out with Qormi Fc.

Last summer you were appointed as a Rabat coach. Players like William Borg, Michael Micallef, Charles Borg, Rodney Camilleri and George Edwards who were considered as the experienced players at Rabat were already loaned out or retired from football. You found a very young squad with the oldest player being only 26 years. Were you worried about this fact? What do you think about these youngsters?

I knew that it was going to be difficult and that the absence of experienced players was going to leave an effect on the youngsters. But I was also sure that the determination of the youngsters to achieve their first honour was going to push them to give their utmost. All that I can say about this young squad is that they have a nice future awaiting them; there is great talent, enthusiasm and a will to achieve more honours.

Rabat got promoted this year. In the beginning, was this the target of Joe Gerada?

After the last two disappointing seasons, the main target for this year was to create a group. The second target was to be one of the main contenders for the promotion to 2nd division. We managed to create a group spirit from the first days. I knew that the second task was going to be hard since we had to start from scratch but the players worked hard and cooperated with me, they understood what I wanted from them and finally we succeeded in our targets.

Certainly the Rabat committee, fans and players are happy with your management. Will Joe Gerada coach Rabat Ajax next season in the second division? If yes, any plans for next season?

Obviously yes I wish to continue working on what we built this year. At the moment there are no specific plans but for sure is that I will confirm the group with whom I worked this year once I’ll be confirmed for the next season.

Joe, I think you were surprised and happy with the number of supporters that turned up for our last match against Gzira. What comments can you give to our supporters and is it possible that Rabat celebrate again under your guidance?

I was surprised by the amount of supporters present for the decisive match against Gzira In the behalf of the players I would like to thank the numerous supporters, for all their support and I hope this will be only the beginning of a new Rabat Ajax era. This is my first promotion as a coach and it will remain in my memories for ever as one of the best moments in my carrier.

Any comments you’d like to add?

I would like to thank you Etienne for the work you are doing, the committee for giving me the chance of being the Rabat Ajax coach, the supporters for appreciating my work but most of all I would like to thank all the players for the commitment and cooperation, and apart of being good players they are also great friends whom I consider as my sons. Finally I would like to thank my family for their support even though I took much of their time.

Interviews: Jonathon Bezzina , Emmanuel Muscat, Adam Smeir .