Recently appointed Melbourne Heart FC head coach John van ‘t Schip is excited by the club’s future prospects after a signing three year deal which will last until the 2016-2017 season.
Serving as Heart’s inaugural coach from 2009 – 2012, the Dutchman returned to the club prior to the new year, following the dismissal of John Aloisi which saw the club winless and rooted to the foot of the table.
Since returning to the helm under an interim role, van ‘t Schip has revolutionised the club, bringing the confidence back to the squad which subsequently went on a seven match unbeaten run, presenting the possibility of a finals berth.
“I’m happy of course and feeling at home here,” van ‘t Schip said.
“[I’ve] been part of the group and the club since it started so it’s a very special feeling that I’m back and there is a period ahead with a lot of I think exciting things to come.”
Prior to putting pen to paper, the 50-year-old revealed that Manchester City’s involvement and takeover was a large incentive in his decision making.
“Of course that’s one of the things we talked about, with the involvement of the new owners the City group, the growth in the club is secured for a long time now,” he said.
“In that environment I think we build further on the team and the club and it was of course a very important thing for me.”
Shifting his attention towards this weekend’s clash against the Central Coast Mariners, van ‘t Schip remained focus on the task at hand, with finals ambitions still at the forefront of his mind.
“Now the focus is on the game against Central Coast,” he said.
“We’re still in it and we’re still having a chance to get in to the finals so we know what we have to do.”
Competing across two fronts (ACL & A-League), the Mariners may enter this Sunday’s contest at AAMI Park highly fatigued, taking to the pitch for the third time in just eight days.
“Of course Central Coast are coming from a long trip but they are trying to secure their spot in the finals as well,” he said.
“They’ll be well prepared for the game against us.
“In a home game I think we feel very good at AAMI Park and hopefully we can get a win.”