City steps up hunt to find new coach
MELBOURNE City is expected to appoint its new coach by the end of the month.
While caretaker coach Michael Valkanis was in contention for the job in the final weeks of the season, it’s almost certain he will not stay on after City’s disappointing end to the A-League season.
Valkanis, who joined from Adelaide United at the start of the season, was appointed interim coach after John van’t Schip quit in January to return to Holland for family reasons.
It’s understood that City Football Group will appoint an overseas coach, with Manchester-based football chief Brian Marwood leading the search.
Marwood was in Melbourne for the final weeks of the season alongside adviser, former England and Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson.
The duo oversaw City’s underwhelming finish to the season that ended with a disappointing home elimination final loss to Perth Glory, a week after its chaotic 5-4 defeat in Perth.
City chief executive Scott Munn and Melbourne-based football chief Michael Petrillo arrive in Manchester today, where they will speak to Marwood to sift through the final shortlist.
Munn and Petrillo return to Melbourne in a fortnight, and an announcement made until then.
The new coach will be in place by the time Melbourne City players return to training on June 19.
“We do not comment on media speculation regarding players or coaches,’’ a City spokesman said.
Midfielder Luke Brattan, who joined on loan from Manchester City at the start of the season, could stay after it was thought he would return to Europe to seek opportunities.
Fellow CFG loan player, midfielder Anthony Caceres, has indicated that he wants to have a crack at Europe and could depart.
City has a spot outside the salary cap available alongside striker and captain Bruno Fornaroli after the release of marquee player Nicolas Colazo, with guest marquee Tim Cahill to come back inside the salary cap in his final playing season.
Left back Josh Rose and attackers Corey Gameiro and Steve Kuzmanovski have also been released.
Fernando Brandan, who is recovering from a knee reconstruction, player of the year Neil Kilkenny and Danish defender Michael Jakobsen are among the players contracted for next season.
City is in the market for a midfielder, goalkeeper and a left back to fill out their playing roster. won’t be