Caanen leaves AEK Larnaca with glowing reference

AEK Larnaca FC and coach Ton Caanen have parted company following a disappointing start to the season in the UEFA Europa League and Cypriot First Division.

Caanen, who was last season brought to the club by technical director Jordi Cruyff, steered the promoted side to a fourth-placed finish in 2010/11. The Dutchman then helped AEK defy expectations in Europe, eliminating Floriana FC, FK Mladá Boleslav and Rosenborg BK to become the first Cypriot outfit to reach the UEFA Europa League group stage.

AEK are bottom of Group J with two points from four games, but have also struggled domestically. They are eighth in the Cypriot First Division, 12 points adrift of leaders AC Omonia. "This was a difficult decision for our club to make and we would like to thank Ton Caanen for his loyalty and for the success that he brought to our club during the last year and a half," read an AEK statement following Saturday's goalless draw against AEL Limassol FC.

"Without a doubt, Ton Caanen has earned himself the reputation of being the most successful coach in AEK's history and the club would like to wish him the very best both professionally and personally." AEK still have a slim chance of qualifying for the round of 32 ahead of the visit of Maccabi Haifa FC on 1 December.