Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says former technical director (TD) Mario Marinica’s football philosophy will be implemented despite his change of roles.
The Romanian was appointed Flames coach by FAM executive
committee at its quarterly meeting this month, replacing Meck Mwase who has since been redeployed as Under-23 national team coach.
Marinica was expected to introduce his ‘Playing Fast and Very Fast’ philosophy across all structures under his initial role as TD which has since been taken up by Benjamin Kumwenda.
But in an interview, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said despite the change in position, Marinica’s philosophy will be implemented through the national teams.
He said: “The idea is that the ‘Fast and Very Fast’ philosophy should cascade to all national teams.
“It will be his duty as head coach to ensure that his philosophy is enforced and applied by all national teams so that it is easily implemented by the Flames.”
On whether this will not create confusion should the newly-appointed TD have his own plans, the FAM president said: “He [Marinica] will always work hand-in-hand with the TD so that the philosophy is adopted in our football development programmes.
“In turn, we expect the output to be suitable for our national teams’ style of play.”
On his part, Marinica also said the change of his position will not affect the implementation of his philosophy.
He said: “The plans will not change at all. I am still in charge of coaching.
“We have the Under-17, Under-20, Under-23 and the national team, so the philosophy will still be implemented nationwide.
“In fact, I am currently working on a national development project which has been approved by Fifa and soon we’ll have a kick-start. Actually, the experimental squad that went to Turkey was partially part of that project.
“The long-term the plan is to have four regional and one national development squads, comprising fresh
players that have not been involved at international level.
“Actually, the plans were to roll it nationwide, but we had to scale off due to hiked prices of fuel and inflation.”
Marinica also said a talent identification project is underway and the National Football Coaches Association is involved.
FAM hired the 58-year-old as TD in November and weeks later, he was appointed to take charge of the Flames at the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, albeit temporarily before being handed the job permanently earlier this month
