Valletta have parted company with coach Georgi Deanov after the team's disappointing season. Deanov was informed of the City committee's decision not to renew his contract during a meeting with club president Joe Caruana Curran and secretary Anton Abela yesterday afternoon.

Deanov was appointed coach of Valletta on the eve of the outgoing season after Kris Manolov, the man who guided the Citizens to a record six-trophy haul the previous year, decided to quit the post only days before the start of the league, citing family reasons.

Under Deanov, Valletta finished fourth in the Premier League amidst murmurs of discontent in the dressing room. A 5-2 loss to Sliema in the semi-finals of the Trophy not only ended Valletta's hopes of defending the cup but also consigned them to a place in the much-derided Intertoto Cup. Speculation about Deanov's future has been rife over the last few days, especially after the team's elimination from the KO competition.

Valletta are now expected to step up their efforts to install a new coach immediately in view of their early commitments in the Intertoto Cup. Sources said that they will be looking to appoint a Maltese mentor, with former stalwart Leonard Farrugia thought to be among the leading candidates to replace Deanov.

>>timesofmalta.com