[citation needed] He got his start as a manager in his hometown club FC Geleen Zuid while also working as a salesman for the local Toyota dealership.

[citation needed] After two years with FC Geleen Zuid he started to work as the youth manager of Roda JC.

[citation needed] When the Maccabi Tel Aviv boardroom had enough of the poor results on the pitch during the club's 100 year anniversary, it was evident that Israeli manager Nir Klinger was on his way out.

[1] Despite two big money "name" signings the team were a disaster typified by a 4–0 loss to Second Division Hapoel Akko in the Cup.

He signed Caanen as head coach, and the pair worked to establish the team as a new football powerhouse in Cyprus.