Melbourne City are looking to embrace a style of attacking football lacking in recent years in a bid to win fans and create excitement with the appointment of a French coach who has worked with the likes of World Cup winners Zinedine Zidane, Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane and Bernard Mendy, along with Manchester City star Riyadh Mahrez.
Erick Mombaerts, a 64-year-old who has worked for the City Football Group for several years, including a stint at J-League club Yokohama Marinos, where ex-Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is currently in charge, has been appointed on a three-year deal.
In a statement, Mombaerts made it clear what his task was – to completely overhaul the image and brand of a club which has a strong financial infrastructure but has yet to create an identity which resonates with fans.
This will be increasingly important next season as City have to compete not only against the A-Leagues biggest club, Melbourne Victory, but insurgent newcomer Western United, who want to own the soccer fan base west of the West Gate Bridge.
I am here to achieve two main objectives – to implement a style of play that gives the team a clear identity, and in doing so to win silverware, Mombaerts said.
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“Having worked in both Japan and in Manchester with City Football Group, I know the City style of play inside out. It is my challenge now to bring my experience to Melbourne, which has a different set of players and a different football culture, and to apply it so that we can win.
“It is also very important to me that fans can feel proud of how we play, and that they will enjoy the whole experience watching the game.
“We have some fantastic young talent, some exciting new signings and a solid existing squad. My focus now is on our pre-sRead More – Source
Melbourne City are looking to embrace a style of attacking football lacking in recent years in a bid to win fans and create excitement with the appointment of a French coach who has worked with the likes of World Cup winners Zinedine Zidane, Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane and Bernard Mendy, along with Manchester City star Riyadh Mahrez.
Erick Mombaerts, a 64-year-old who has worked for the City Football Group for several years, including a stint at J-League club Yokohama Marinos, where ex-Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is currently in charge, has been appointed on a three-year deal.
In a statement, Mombaerts made it clear what his task was – to completely overhaul the image and brand of a club which has a strong financial infrastructure but has yet to create an identity which resonates with fans.
This will be increasingly important next season as City have to compete not only against the A-Leagues biggest club, Melbourne Victory, but insurgent newcomer Western United, who want to own the soccer fan base west of the West Gate Bridge.
I am here to achieve two main objectives – to implement a style of play that gives the team a clear identity, and in doing so to win silverware, Mombaerts said.
Advertisement
“Having worked in both Japan and in Manchester with City Football Group, I know the City style of play inside out. It is my challenge now to bring my experience to Melbourne, which has a different set of players and a different football culture, and to apply it so that we can win.
“It is also very important to me that fans can feel proud of how we play, and that they will enjoy the whole experience watching the game.
“We have some fantastic young talent, some exciting new signings and a solid existing squad. My focus now is on our pre-sRead More – Source
