Van’t Schip to leave Heart ship

 

Roar Guru

By John Davidson, 1 Feb 2012 John Davidson is a Roar Guru

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 A-League, football, John van't Schip, melbourne heart

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News that is unlikely to hearten Melbourne Heart fans, and at an unfortunate time too – head coach and Dutch legend John van’t Schip is leaving the club at the end of this season.

Heart’s inaugural coach, van’t Schip was brought in to get the club playing attractive and attacking football, with a focus on developing young players, and a part from a few minor hiccups, he has succeeded.

The 2010-2011 season was a tough one, with a lot inconsistency, but that is to be expected with a completely new team and club.

This season the Heart have been more consistent, playing some of the best football in the A-League, with likes of youngsters Eli Balbalj, Michael Marrone, Mate Dugandzic, Aziz Behich and Brendan Hamill starring.

The Heart have an enviable line-up of young Australian talent that look destined for bigger and better things and van’t Schip, a renowned youth coach, has certainly played his part.

Currently they sit in fifth place on the ladder, seemingly heading for the finals but also in danger of slipping out. The announcement that van’t Schip is returning home for family reasons comes at a bad time because the Heart have been struggling of late, they haven’t won in their last six games.

They have managed four losses and two draws in that six game period, and this Friday they take on the Victory in an epic Melbourne derby. The loss of key playmaker Fred has been a big blow.

The news of the coach’s exit will either galvanise them for this Friday and for the rest of the season, or it will be an issue and they will fall away.

Missing the semis is a distinct possibility and that would be a disaster for the new club.

Van’t Schip has been a popular figure at the Heart and will be tough to replace. I would expect the club’s board to be looking overseas to replace him, though it would be good if they considered local candidates.

Heart assistant Ante Milicic is too experienced for the role, but there are other Australian coaches who could fill the role.

The usual names of Branko Culina and Frank Farina will be bandied about, but a coach with a background in developing young players would be a great choice.

Newcastle Jets assistant Arthur Papas would be a longshot, but has the history of working at the AIS and success with the Oakleigh in the Victorian Premier League, not to mention being previously an assistant coach with the Heart.

Whichever way they go, the appointment will be crucial one for the club and eagerly watched by football fans across Australia.

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