Local champions Valletta sacked coach Darren Abdilla on Tuesday, in a rather surprise move. The heavy 1-4 defeat at the hands of Birkirkara on Sunday must have been the last straw, even though the champions are still top of the table with eight matches to the end of the season.

Abdilla took over at the helm of Valletta at the start of this season guiding his side to the third round of the UEFA Europa League after eliminating Luxembourg's F91 Dudelange. Under his guidance Valletta also won the Super Cup last December against Balzan.

No replacement has yet been announced by Valletta and assistant coach Gilbert Agius is expected to guide the side for the forthcoming match against Gzira. The ex-Valletta star has already guided the Citizens to the title victory last season after the departure of coach Danilo Doncic.

A devastated Darren Abdilla, in a facebook post said that he cannot understand the reasoning for this decision, with Valletta on top of the table, in the FA Trophy quarter finals and winners of the Super Cup.

Abdilla said that although Valletta made 1.2 million from the UEFA competitions under his helm, he is forfeiting two years from his salary. Darren Abdilla had a three-year contract with the champions.