Sometimes, life can really be bigger than the game. Much bigger. In one of the most surprising (or perhaps unsurprising) stories of the 2016-17 Hyundai A-League season, following a 2-2 draw away to the Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne City manager John van’t Schip has resigned due to a need to take care of his father in palliative care. van’t Schip led City to its first-ever piece of silverware, the 2016 FFA Cup.
Thanks for everything you’ve done for the @MelbourneCity coach!
Best of luck in the future @johnvantschip7 ! pic.twitter.com/cwYQ8GQv9u— Bruno Fornaroli (@BFornaroli) January 3, 2017
Since then, Melbourne City have been on a downspin in form, their plight highlighted by a defeat to their rivals, Kevin Muscat’s Melbourne Victory, and the Big V has regained the ascendancy as the top team in the city. A competent successor will need to be named in order for City to remain in contention for the Finals Series.
“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,” said van’t Schip. “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.”
We say farewell to @johnvantschip7 in this special reflection on his time at the Club. #ThanksJvS pic.twitter.com/XGolOej84s
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) January 3, 2017
“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,” said City Football Group boss Khaldoon Al-Mubarak. “He has our ongoing gratitude and support as his focus rightly turns to his family.”
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