Melbourne Heart FC signing John Aloisi is confident the club can be competitive during its debut Hyundai A-League campaign and make a real impression upon its rivals.
Melbourne Heart FC signing John Aloisi is confident the club can be competitive during its debut Hyundai A-League campaign and make a real impression upon its rivals.
Aloisi-s first season with Heart will mark the final stanza of his playing career before transitioning to a coaching role where he will help build the club-s first National Youth League side for 2011/12.
While the 34-year-old has long earmarked coaching as the next step in his football life, Aloisi is keen to bow out on a high note following a career which has seen him play in the world-s three leading domestic football leagues – the English Premier League, Spain-s Primera Liga and the Serie A in Italy.
And after clinching domestic glory with Sydney FC, the Qantas Socceroo legend is adamant Melbourne and the Heart is the perfect destination to bring down the curtain on his glittering life as a player.
“The main reason (I joined Melbourne) was the people who they have got involved with the club, and (Head Coach) John van ‘t Schip is a perfect example, (with)what he has achieved in the game, his experience as a coach,” he said.
“They also offered me a coaching role and I have always wanted to move into coaching after my career. I will do a little bit of coaching now, but not too much I suppose. I-m pretty sure this will my last season and I hope I can go out on a high.
“(And with) the players we have signed, the coaching staff we have, I can-t see why we can-t push the other teams and be competitive. It-s going to be a hard slog, it-s not easy as a new club, but I think we can be competitive.”
Although the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season fixture has yet to be released, there is one match in particular which Aloisi has already identified as the highlight on the calendar – the inaugural Melbourne Derby.
“That-s going to be massive. I think that-s great for the game, great for the Hyundai A-League and this is what they have been crying out for,” he said.
“Two teams in Melbourne, there-s going to be fiery encounters on the park I can tell you that and I can-t wait for it. It should be good at this new stadium too.
“I-m very excited to be joining a new club that I can start off with and build something together, and I am happy to be part of that.”
With the countdown to the club-s competition debut well underway, Melbourne Heart FC invites you to register for priority access and become a member at the Hyundai A-League-s newest football club.
Click here for a registration form.
