In an extensive interview given to Tuttomercatoweb journalist Gaetano Mocciaro, Ħamrun Spartans head coach Giacomo Modica delivered one of the most striking assessments ever made by an Italian coach working in Malta.
“I believe that apart from the big clubs, the quality of Serie C is not superior to that of the Maltese Premier League,” Modica said, a statement that has resonated strongly in the Italian football media. His words underline how his experience in Malta has reshaped his perspective on competitiveness, professionalism and ambition within smaller football nations.
Modica told Tuttomercatoweb that one of the most powerful moments of his journey with Ħamrun came when he stepped into the stadium for the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage and heard the anthem. He described it as “an emotion I will carry with me for life”, explaining that coaching in a European group phase was an ambition he had never been able to satisfy in Italy, despite decades of work on the touchline.
Last Thursday’s historic victory did not just secure points. It also brought significant financial gains for the club and international media recognition, with outlets across Europe highlighting Malta’s first-ever group stage win, the unprecedented steps taken by a Maltese club on the continental stage, and Modica’s role in breaking long-standing ceilings for Maltese football. Italian media, including Tuttomercatoweb, have emphasised the symbolic value of the achievement as a sign that Maltese football is progressing faster than many expect.
Speaking to Mocciaro, Modica reflected openly on his decision to leave Italian football after a long and difficult spell in Serie C, admitting that structural issues in Italy had drained his passion. Malta, he said, offered him a chance to rediscover joy in the job. “Here I am getting satisfactions that I could not take in Italy,” he admitted, noting that Ħamrun have given him a stable environment, a supportive club and a competitive dressing room. He stressed that the Maltese Premier League should not be underestimated and that the gap with mid-tier Italian football is narrower than many imagine.
Modica explained to Tuttomercatoweb that life at Ħamrun has been “divine”, praising the club’s ambition, structure and long-term planning. He also pointed to the presence of players like Ante Čorić as proof that increasingly credible football profiles are choosing Malta. Looking ahead, he said that the club will continue to push its limits, fully aware that the European stage demands discipline, belief and constant improvement.
