Melbourne Heart have announced the signing of John van ‘t Schip as permanent head coach until the 2016-17 season.
The Dutchman re-joined the club back in December following the sacking of John Aloisi, but has been working on an interim basis with the situation around the club at the time surrounded in mystery.
Since then, Manchester City completed a takeover of Melbourne Heart, and have decided to retain van ‘t Schip’s services following an impressive run of results since taking charge.
The Director of City’s Football Academy Brian Marwood was delighted to retain the services of the former Ajax player, who he believes has the same ideals that City are looking to instil at the club.
“John is a very experienced coach,” Marwood said.
“He has a clear philosophy of how the game should be played and it is one which dovetails well with what we are seeking to implement at Manchester City.”
The sentiment is echoed by City CEO Ferran Soriano.
“We are very happy that John van’t Schip will remain Head Coach of Melbourne Heart FC,” Soriano said.
“Playing good football is at the centre of our plans for the future of the Club and John has already demonstrated his ability to help us achieve that ambition.”
van ‘t Schip certainly knows plenty of the job required to make Melbourne Heart a successful club, leading the club to their one and only finals appearance in the 2011-12 Hyundai A-League season.
He left the club for an unsuccessful spell with Mexican giants Chivas Guadalajara, where he only lasted through the Apertura 2012 season, with Chivas finishing a lowly eighth.
van ‘t Schip is happy to finally have his future sorted, and is looking forward to working under the Manchester City regime.
“I’m delighted to have been appointed Head Coach,” van’t Schip said. “The Club is well positioned for the future and I am excited to be working with Brian and [Manchester City Director of Football] Txiki Begiristain in the lead-up to 2014-15 season.
“My current focus is to finish this season as strongly as possible, beginning with our next game against Central Coast Mariners this Sunday.”