JVS: Heart academy will lead to titles

Melbourne Heart technical manager John van ‘t Schip is convinced a new academy will lead to championships as the club learn ‘total football’.

The Dutchman returns to the Heart as they aim to establish a youth academy, in conjunction with Cruyff Football, next year.

Despite Van ‘t Schip’s long-term goals for the Red and Whites, he insists he will not interfere with the day-to-day work of head coach John Aloisi.

Van ‘t Schip said it would take time for the Heart to be perfecting the possession-based, pressing game made famous by Ajax Amsterdam and the Dutch national team but believes an academy will be a huge help.

“Of course, because you’ve seen the results in other parts of the world with the same kind of style,” Van ‘t Schip told the Herald Sun.

“But it’s not going to be happening overnight in terms of the process. That’s why it’s important that you can build the academy and you can work on the young boys getting through that pipeline to the first team and in the meantime continue to work with the first team on that kind of way of playing.

“There are going to be years when you won’t win championships but you’re going to produce players and producing good players is also one of the most important visions of the club.”

The former Ajax winger and Heart’s inaugural head coach dismissed concerns he would interfere with Aloisi, who is preparing for his second season in charge.

Van ‘t Schip said his presence would help the former Socceroo in what is a crucial campaign for Aloisi after Heart’s struggles in 2012/13.

“Of course I’ll be there to be complementary to the coaches of the senior team and the youth team to help them out where they want, to give my advice,” Van ‘t Schip said.

“I’m not going to interfere in, let’s say, in the players that John is going to pick in the team for the game.

“But I think it’s good for everybody, and John as well, to have an extra person to talk to about issues that I’ve dealt with for a long time. It’s all in the benefit of the club.”