Who could replace John van’t Schip as coach of Melbourne City?

THE most coveted coaching position in Australia is up for grabs after John van’t Schip’s shock resignation. But who will replace him? David Davutovic looks at the local candidates.

Who will replace John van’t Schip as coach of Melbourne City — and Tim Cahill? Picture: Getty Images

THE most coveted coaching position in Australia and indeed one of the most desired in Asia is up for grabs after John van’t Schip’s shock resignation.

Melbourne City will receive hundreds of CV’s and expressions of interest in the vacant job as it conducts a worldwide search to fill the role midway through a promising 2016-17 season.

Who will replace John van’t Schip as coach of Melbourne City — and Tim Cahill? Picture: Getty Images

Armed with the biggest war chest in Australian domestic history, City has assembled an outrageously talented and balanced squad that’s primed for an assault at the A-League title and Asian Champions League qualification.

DAVUTOVIC: VAN’T SCHIP DID IT HIS WAY

The City Football Group offers links to Premier League giants Manchester City the most revered coach in world football Pep Guardiola, plus Patrick Vieira at New York City.

Manchester-based Brian Marwood is leading the search, alongside Melbourne-based football chief Michael Petrillo.

Former Adelaide United assistant and current City caretaker Mike Valkanis will get his chance to impress. Picture: Calum Robertson

But board member Simon Pearce and Manchester City chief executive Ferran Sorriano will be hands on in the search while CFG chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak will need to be convinced, underlining the enormity of the appointment.

Overseas or local? It depends on City’s budget. A high caliber foreigner would cost in excess of $1 million-a-year and would want a multi-year deal, but City needs someone who can make a sudden impact.

This leaves local options in with a good shout, for this season anyway.

Assistant Mike Valkanis has impressed the CFG hierarchy and after his brief stint with Adelaide United in 2012-13 will get a second crack at proving himself in an interim basis, starting Friday at home to Western Sydney.

Catalan Josep Gombau, who replaced Valkanis at Adelaide, is continually linked and he’s positioned himself well — geographically at least — by accepting the Olyroos job, who don’t have any serious games until next year with the Olympics in 2020.

The best choice may be least obvious. Ante Milicic was van’t Schip’s assistant in the club’s first two years and was stiff to be overlooked for John Aloisi in 2012.

Since he’s played a key role as the right-hand man of Tony Popovic at Western Sydney and Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou, given huge responsibility in both roles.

Josep Gombau was a popular figure in Adelaide. Does he have what it takes to lead Melbourne City? Picture: Tom Huntley

Milicic has a ruthless streak that City requires and it would be a big PR win with the fans, who adored the assistant.

The local options are solid and CFG is aware of its local responsibility, but that’s outweighed by Abu Dhabi-based Sheikh Mansour’s desire for success so it’ll be intriguing to see which names come forward.

Van’t Schip will be remembered for delivering City’s first trophy and while polarising opinion, he did it his way to the death.

For his final fling, he adopted a 3-4-3 from Ajax which divided opinion but delivered him the 2016 FFA Cup.

There was the defiant Johan Cruyff-esque streak too, refusing to guarantee big signings game-time, axing Robbie Koren and preferring Dean Bouzanis to Thomas Sorensen.

His strengths were his tactical savvy and ability to develop players and Aaron Mooy is probably his greatest success story.

I would like to thank everyone at the club and our fans for the fantastic period I had working at @MelbourneCity pic.twitter.com/gRyapdQq5e

— john van't schip (@johnvantschip7) January 2, 2017

Perhaps aware of his looming exit, his parting gift was blooding teens Ruon Tongyik, Denis Genreau and Daniel Arzani in recent weeks.

Of all the Dutch influences in Australian football, van’t Schip’s made the biggest impact.

Socceroos assistant Ante Milicic has a ruthless streak thatr could suit City. Picture: George Salpigtidis

THE LOCAL CONTENDERS

■ Mike Valkanis

Melbourne City interim coach

Age: 42

Will take charge until a permanent appointment is made. His last interim gig at Adelaide United, in the midst of a long apprenticeship there, went pear-shaped but he appears better equipped this time around.

■ Ante Milicic

Socceroos assistant

Age: 42

Done the best apprenticeship in Australia, under John van’t Schip, Tony Popovic and now Ange Postecoglou. Not a self-promoter, but as a former City assistant, his appointment would be well received

■ Josep Gombau

Olyroos coach

Age: 40

The seemingly obvious choice, with his former Adelaide chief Michael Petrillo now in charge of the football department in Melbourne. Would leave the Olyroos to take the City job and his attacking style suits the CFG philosophy.

Once part of the same coaching panel, Josep Gombau with Mike Valkanis could be battling it out for the Melbourne City job.

Originally published as Who could replace John van’t Schip as coach of Melbourne City?