Melbourne City coach Michael Valkanis gearing up for challenge

Melbourne City coach Michael Valkanis is ready for the most coveted job in Australian soccer. He has shared how he feels, maintaining that he’s comfortable because it is a great club.

Former Adelaide chief Michael Petrillo recruited Valkanis to City. Meanwhile, Petrillo appointed Josep Gombau at Adelaide United. “It’s a great challenge, it’s amazing how things pan out sometimes and being at one of the biggest clubs in Australia,’’ Valkanis said.

“I’m comfortable because it is a great club, I’m amongst great people, I’ve got the full support all the way from Manchester City, from speaking to Brian Marwood to Simon Pearce and our CEO Scott Munn and Michael Petrillo.

The club failed to nail triumph since securing the Football Federation Australia (FFA) Cup on November 30, earning four points from five games to rot 13 points behind leaders Sydney FC.

According to Herald Sun, Danish defender Michael Jakobsen could return after training all week. Osama Malik is also in contention per the publication.

The Melbourne City coach said an FFA Cup hangover was normal as indicated by history. But Valkanis was able to make it clear that there have been positive signs in recent weeks.

Valkanis recalled that the Cup win took a lot of emotional and physical energy from the players and the club because they had a tough schedule. “We were playing top teams and playing in the Cup, it took its toll. It happened at Adelaide when I was there and with Victory (in 2015-16) as well,” he said.

“I’m interested in results, playing well and getting the team back on track, we’re not going to shy away from the fact that we’ve fallen away since winning Cup,” Valkanis added.

Valkanis was born and raised in Melbourne. He broke into the National Soccer League (NSL) with South Melbourne, then headed abroad and returned with Adelaide United.