Ton Caanen will step down as Valletta coach at the end of this season.

"At the end of March, I made the decision not to continue as Valletta coach next season and I have informed the club committee accordingly," Caanen told The Sunday Times.

"My decision to leave Valletta has nothing to do with the team's failure to win the championship. After analysing many things, I've come to the conclusion that it's best for both parties to go our separate ways."

Caanen took over from Paul Zammit, now at the helm of newly-crowned champions Birkirkara, as Valletta coach last summer after inking a one-year deal with an option to extend it for another two years.

Under Caanen, Valletta reached the second round of the Europa League and captured the National League 100 Anniversary Cup but they missed out on the league title.

Valletta are in the semi-finals of the U*Bet FA Trophy and Caanen will be looking to end his one-year reign as City coach on a high by steering the team to success in the KO competition.

Jesmond Zerafa, the former Qormi coach, is the favourite to succeed Caanen at Valletta.

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