Former Melbourne City coach John van ‘t Schip believes the club is on track for sustained success under Erick Mombaerts
On the eve of the FFA Cup final, former Melbourne City coach John van ‘t Schip speaks on his sense of unfinished business at the club and his optimism for this season’s outfit.
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Melbourne City’s only FFA Cup winning coach would’ve loved to stay and “finish the job”, revealing that defensive stability was the missing ingredient for sustained success.
John van ’t Schip, who led City to the 2016 FFA Cup, believes Erick Mombaerts is the man to take the club to greater heights.
The Dutchman oversaw the most exciting period in the club’s short history in the first half of 2016-17, with two superb offensive performances in outplaying and outmuscling Melbourne Victory, including a feisty semi-final.
Tim Cahill then scored against Sydney FC before captain Bruno Fornaroli lifted the Cup in front of 18,751 fans at AAMI Park, inadvertently dropping an expletive in the process.
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“For me, I would’ve lover to have finished that season because there was still a lot to do,” van’t Schip said.
“We had a difficult period after we won the Cup, but with my father sick, I felt I had to go back - he was my biggest supporter. For me there was no decision. He passed away three weeks later.
“We struggled in the playoffs, we twice made the semi-finals. The year before we had a very good team with strong attacking side. We had a very exciting with Aaron (Mooy), Harry (Novillo) and Bruno.
“The year after I left they (strengthened) the defence - if we had that kind of stable defence, we would have done better. But that was the choices we made, and our responsibility.
“I follow City and the signs that I see with the new coach, his football is very close to what we tried to put in. He likes to play with the ball and keep possession and giving young players opportunities like Connor Metcalfe.
“That’s a good sign because people love to see that - young kids from the system with good signings from the outside.”
Van’t Schip, who is coaching Greece’s national team, has fond memories from their 2016 win.
“It was very important for the club, first silverware after having a hard time to (getting momentum) in Melbourne,” he said.
“You sensed that the club was really waiting for this, you had (senior) people from England over, we were in good form, there was pressure. This was the moment it had to happen.”
City skipper: Any silverware is important
Melbourne City skipper Scott Jamieson declared that the FFA Cup was undervalued in Australia.
“It’s probably downplayed a bit, that this competition isn’t important - but it’s a trophy,” Jamieson said.
“There’s essentially only three (trophies) on offer. This group hasn’t won a trophy and this club’s only won it once.
“This club is all about winning trophies, regardless of how little we’ve won. It’s expectations.
“You want to win everything you can and with the manager’s first pre-season it’s a great start for him.”
New Melbourne City chief executive Brad Rowse admitted fans had been patient.
“The club’s been around for 10 years and it’s all about silverware. We wish we had more,” Rowse said.
“It would provide a massive positive uplift for the club, players, coaches, staff. Lots of staff have been there since the inception.”
- Scott Jamieson