Ex-Socceroo Aloisi Named Coach of Melbourne Heart A-League Team

Former Australia striker John Aloisi was hired as head coach of the Melbourne Heart A-League soccer club for the next three seasons.

Aloisi, 36, replaces John van ’t Schip, who stepped down after leading the team through its first two seasons in Australia’s elite soccer competition. Van ’t Schip is joining Mexican club Guadalajara, where he’ll work with fellow Dutchman Johan Cruijff.

“John van ‘t Schip has set a platform for this club and also for myself,’’ Aloisi, who coached the Heart’s youth team last season after retiring as a player, said at a televised news conference. ‘‘That’s another reason why I’m not too nervous about taking the role so soon. He’s set it up nicely for everyone here.”

Aloisi, who scored 27 goals in 55 games for the Socceroos, is the only Australian to have played in the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Dan Baynes at dbaynes@bloomberg.net