The Melbourne Heart Syndicate has continued its preparations for the 2010/11 A-League season by signing ex-Socceroo Ante Milicic and former Denmark and Manchester United star Jesper Olsen as its inaugural assistant coaches.
The Melbourne Heart Syndicate has continued its preparations for the 2010/11 A-League season by signing ex-Socceroo Ante Milicic and former Denmark and Manchester United star Jesper Olsen as its inaugural assistant coaches.
Milicic and Olsen arrive following an exhaustive recruitment process undertaken by football manager John Didulica and head coach John van ‘t Schip to set the foundation of a strong future.
Having represented their respective nations at international level, Milicic and Olsen-s appointment ensures each member of the Heart Syndicate-s coaching panel possesses substantial experience at the elite level.
Van ‘t Schip said: “I am excited to be working alongside Ante and Jesper. They bring qualities to the table, which are important to build a successful football club, and will help us into the future.
“Ante-s knowledge of youth football, development and the A-League will prove important, while Jesper-s experience in the Dutch system will reinforce the football style and philosophy I hope to integrate.”
Recently returning from Egypt following a stint as assistant to Young Socceroos boss Jan Versleijen at the U/20 World Cup, Milicic is one of the exciting coaching prospects in Australia, claiming the 2009 New South Wales Premier League Coach of the Year award after guiding Sydney United to the minor premiership.
Milicic-s achievements though aren-t confined to the realm of coaching, clinching the Johnny Warren Medal as the National Soccer League-s 2003 Player of the Year, while earning six caps with the Socceroos.
The 35-year-old also completed stints in the Dutch Eredivisie and Croatian First Division before returning to Australia and becoming the first player to score a hat trick in A-League history.
Milicic brings cutting edge A-League experience after spending three seasons with Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar, and will provide valuable insight and intimate knowledge of the competition.
A veteran of two European Championships, Olsen-s signing marks the Dane-s first coaching appointment after spending half a decade developing and identifying talent through his own academy in Australia and Europe.
Olsen boasts an impeccable football pedigree, having played under the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and French World Cup winning coach Aime Jacquet, and alongside Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, during an 11-year career as a professional in Europe.
Earning 46 caps for Denmark, Olsen played for Manchester United, Ajax and Bordeaux to confirm his phenomenal ability, finishing in the top 10 of the 1983 European Footballer of the Year award, ahead of Bryan Robson and Ian Rush.
However, the crowning glory of Olsen-s playing career came as a member of Denmark-s 1986 World Cup side, which delighted the globe with its free-flowing brand of attacking football as it reached the Round of 16, scoring against superpowers Germany, Spain and Uruguay.
Olsen-s experience in the sport-s upper echelon and understanding of Dutch football and the Ajax philosophy further enhances the Heart Syndicate-s ambition to develop into one of the nation-s premier football institutions.
Heart Syndicate Chief Executive Officer Scott Munn said, “Melbourne Heart Syndicate has deliberately set out to build a coaching panel that is capable of delivering exciting football. Encouraging both devotees of the game as well as newcomers to the sport to get on board and support our team”
