Melbourne City head coach John Van’t Schip has announced his resignation from the club, effective immediately.
Van’t Schip has left the club in order to return home to his native Holland in order to help care for his ill father.
“I have been faced with a choice between my family in Holland and my work here in Australia and there was only one right decision,” Van’t Schip said.
“I did not want my personal circumstances to impact the club in any way. I am part of a strong coaching team that has been carefully nurtured over the last three years and that gives me great confidence that this situation will not adversely affect the club’s progress.”
Melbourne City and City Football Group chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak paid tribute to Van’t Schip.
“John’s reaction to his personal circumstances is testament to the man he is and why he has been such an important contributor to the Club’s development both on and off the field – culminating in guiding our men’s first team to its maiden trophy,” Al Mubarak said.
“He has our ongoing gratitude and support as his focus rightly turns to his family.”
Van’t Schip has enjoyed two stints at City, the first under their previous moniker of Melbourne Heart from 2009-2012, the second starting in 2013.
It was during this second stint that the Dutch coach guided the club to their first ever piece of silverware, overseeing a 1-0 victory over Sydney FC in the 2016 FFA Cup Final.
“I would like to thank everyone at Melbourne City and the City Football Group for their support,” Van’t Schip said. “The club’s development since its creation will always be a source of great personal pride to me.”
Michael Valkanis will take over as the side’s interim head coach immediately as City search for a permanent replacement to Van’t Schip.
Despite boasting a line-up that includes star Socceroo Tim Cahill and Uruguayan sharpshooter Bruno Fornaroli, the club is currently sitting in fourth spot on the A-League table. Their next game is at home against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Ruudolfson
Guest
Such a shame but this man has brought in some good young aussie players and tried to play the classic dutch style of football. I wonder who will the club bring in as his replacement, hopefully a decent technician from a proven country.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Never felt that Van't Schip was an astute or proactive manager yet this is really immaterial at this time. Hope he gets to spend some time with his Dad in his later years. Perhaps the new guy might be a bit nicer to Aloisi. Poor Johnny has been picked on by JVS and needs a break.
j binnie
Guest
football- Guus was in fact a highly priced "stop gap", hired for one purpose and one only, to take the Socceroos to the world cup. He made no secret of the fact that was what he was hired to do and, when finished, he would be gone. If you are interested you should look up the CV's of all the coaches I have mentioned and you could not be blamed for thinking that the "marketing", "selling" and "hiring" of Dutch coaches all around the world of football is in fact a rather large "employment industry".jb.
fnq boy
Guest
bring back Miron Blieberg .................... if for nothing else than the hilarious press conferences
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Would say NO.
football
Guest
and Guus Hiddink in 2005/06!
mattq
Guest
no way, Valkanis comes from the school of Vidmar. Good luck City.
j binnie
Guest
John's departure is probably seeing us approach the end of a long line of Dutch influence on our football that started with the hiring of Robert Bann as a director of coaching in 2007,to be followed by Han Berger, and also in our Socceroo teams, Verbeek and Versieljjen,followed by Franz Thijsen in the HAL, to join John. All of these men have come and gone and the actual influences they have had are very debatable with Bann ,(after a public retirement) tuning up in India,Berger giving coaching away to be a Director at Sydney ,Verbeek and Versielijen fronting in Africa coaching youth teams and Franz apparently sitting on the fence until "the call" comes again.. One cannot help but wonder what that "influence " cost in dollars and makes John's departure more of a worry for the remaining Dutchman in our game, at the old Institute of sport, Peter de Roos. With the growing number of ex -Socceroos now taking up coaching positions one has to wonder is there a "new" influence at work at FFA headquarters,and if so, is it a better influence???. Time will tell.. Cheers jb.
pete4
Guest
Josep Gombau has to be a big chance to takeover pending what happens to his Olyroos role
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I believe Valkanis was getting some decent reviews during his time at Adelaide, hence Melbourne City pinching him. He should be ok in the interim role.
tully101
Roar Guru
Ernie Merrick anyone?
tully101
Roar Guru
wow what a great and original comment 10/10 for originality
Lionheart
Guest
I can only wish JVS and his family well. These are very difficult times for them, and the distance must have been a major factor in John's decision.
Cool and Cold
Guest
Responsible move. He resigned from Melbourne City before. So, he cannot be blamed. Ernie Merrick resigned and the team excited to play better. As said, Adelaide United's coach, Guillermo Amor, should resign or be fired.
Barto
Guest
As a Sydney fan, I am dismayed by this news. The prospect of Melbourne City with a competent coach is scary.
lesterlike
Guest
One of the most mediocre coaches in A-League history.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
OK, very sad circumstances but now time to think about bringing in someone with a track record.
RBBAnnonymous
Guest
OMG how does Valkanis get the interim position. Disaster.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Good luck John Van’t Schip, family should always come first before Football. Who will replace him? My guess is an European appointment.
Mark
Guest
A coach with a vi$ion to match Tim's I'm sure...