Melbourne City coach John van’t Schip says he feels no extra pressure to succeed this season despite the hype surrounding the revamped A-League outfit.
In the last six months, the club has changed their name, logo and playing strip following January’s takeover by English Premier League giants Manchester City.
They have also added some big names to their squad, including Irish international Damien Duff, Robbie Koren and Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer David Villa on a loan deal.
City, formerly the Heart, were last season’s wooden spooners but are now equal-favourites to win the 2014-2015 title, according to the country’s leading bookmakers.
“That’s outrageous,” van `t Schip said on Thursday.
“Just look at our team – it’s a good team, but there’s still a lot to improve.
“There are a lot of other teams that I think are still ahead of us in some areas, and we have to work to get there as soon as possible.”
Asked whether the off-season transformation had brought with it some extra pressure, the former Dutch player and assistant coach said: “I don’t feel that it’s going to be more.
“The pressure that you have is always there.
“I had it with the youth teams at Ajax, I had it with the Dutch national team, and in Mexico and here.
“It’s part of the job.
“It’s also something that you need to perform as a coach and player.
“The most important thing is that you manage the pressure in the right way and it helps you to actually perform better.
“(We) know that we’re looked at differently. On the other hand, we should not be thinking (that) because it’s only a change of name and change of colours.”
World Cup-winning striker Villa is due to arrive in Australia on Tuesday and will be available for selection for City’s season-opener against Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.
Van `t Schip said he will wait until he meets and assesses the 32-year-old before decided when and how to play him.
Villa isn’t his only concern, though, with Ben Garuccio and Jonathan Germano injured, Conor Chapman still recovering from glandular fever, and Jason Hoffman suspended.
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