Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip’s is looking to end his time at the Club on a high ahead of Saturday’s pivotal fixture against Sydney FC at AAMI Park.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip-s is looking to end his time at the Club on a high ahead of Saturday-s pivotal fixture against Sydney FC at AAMI Park.
The weekend-s clash looms as possibly van ‘t Schip-s last match in charge at the Swan Street venue, with Heart only an outside chance of staging a home final should the Club cement its place in the top six.
While van ‘t Schip-s legacy at the Club will be assured regardless of Saturday-s result, the Dutchman admits he would be frustrated should Heart not reach the finals under his tenure.
“I would be disappointed for me, looking at the result,” he said.
“On the other side, I think building up a club was a big challenge and a great honour to be part of it and having the backing of the board and the football department.
“But I’m a professional and after the first year … and this year really making good steps on the pitch with young players in the way of playing, I would be disappointed, that’s for sure.”
While Heart is now locked in a tight battle for a finals place, its path to the top six at one stage appeared a fait accompli.
Heading into the New Year, Heart was in the midst of a three way race to claim the Premier-s Plate, bolstered by a run of seven wins from eight matches.
However, Heart-s charge stuttered through January and early February, as the side suffered from the absence of key players Fred, Matt Thompson, Aziz Behich and Mate Dugandzic.
Although van ‘t Schip acknowledged the season would be a missed opportunity should Heart not convert its performances to a finals spot, he said that ultimately, the table doesn-t lie.
“At the end you have to make sure that you’re in the finals because the other teams have the same story,” he said.
“They all have their good momentum in the season and their moments that things are not going that well.
“So you just have to make sure that at the end of the season you are in the right position … if you’re not there, there are no excuses because the ladder will tell everything.”
