The Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA) has announced that Milan Cirovic has resigned from his roles as Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach and Technical Director of Maltese Men’s Water Polo, bringing an end to one of the most successful periods in the country’s recent water polo history.
The Serbian coach’s departure comes just months after Malta achieved its best-ever finish at a European Championship, securing 13th place in Belgrade in January 2026. The result marked a significant step forward for a national programme that has steadily progressed in recent years under Cirovic’s leadership.
In a statement released by the ASA, President Karl Izzo praised Cirovic’s impact on Maltese water polo.
“Milan’s resignation is a decision we respect, although it is one we receive with genuine sadness. He has been instrumental in raising standards across our national teams and has left an indelible mark on Maltese water polo.”
Since taking charge of the national programme, Cirovic oversaw not only the senior men’s team but also played a key role in developing youth pathways and strengthening the technical structure of Maltese water polo. The ASA credited him with helping professionalise the national setup and contributing to the continued growth of the sport on the island.
Malta’s recent progress has been notable. The team qualified for a sixth consecutive European Championship finals appearance in 2026 and recorded their highest-ever European Championship finish, improving on previous best placements of 14th in 2022 and 15th in 2024.
The Belgrade campaign was particularly memorable. After a difficult start to the tournament, Malta rallied to win all three of their classification matches and secure 13th place. Speaking after the event, Cirovic described the achievement as one of the most significant in Maltese water polo history, praising his players for overcoming adversity both inside and outside the pool.
During his tenure, Malta also continued to integrate players competing abroad, including athletes based in Spain, Croatia, Italy, Romania and Serbia, reflecting the growing international profile of Maltese water polo.
The ASA confirmed that the search for a successor will begin immediately as preparations continue for upcoming youth and senior international competitions.
Further announcements regarding Malta’s future technical direction are expected in the coming weeks.
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