Melbourne City head coach John van ‘t Schip has stood down with immediate effect citing a desire to return to the Netherlands to care for his seriously ill father.
The club released a brief statement on Tuesday in which they thanked Van ‘t Schip for his services to the club.
“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. He has our ongoing gratitude and support as his focus rightly turns to his family,” said club chairman, City Football Group’s Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
Assistant coach Michael Valkanis has been appointed interim first-team coach with immediate effect while the club conducts a search for a permanent replacement for Van ’t Schip.
The Dutch former international was the inaugural head coach of the then Melbourne Heart, and spent six seasons at the club across two spells in charge, overseeing 144 A-League games with a win ratio of 36%.
Van ‘t Schip guided Heart/City to three finals series appearances, winning the club’s first silverware earlier this season with a 1-0 victory over Sydney FC in the FFA Cup final.
Commenting on his decision Van’t Schip said, “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.
“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.
“I would like to thank everyone at Melbourne City and the City Football Group for their support. The club’s development since its creation will always be a source of great personal pride to me.”
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
