Current Ajax Amsterdam interim manager John van't Schip has been linked with the job at Melbourne's second A-League club.

Melbourne Heart are believed to be close to naming their inaugural coach ahead of the new franchise's first season in 2010/11.

Canadian-born van't Schip represented the Dutch national team in the late 80s and early 90s, recoding 41 caps with the Oranje and also spent time as the national team's assistant manager from 2004 to 2008 under Marco van Basten.

It is understood that Melbourne Heart are keen to fill the vacant head coach position by the end of October and van't Schip is likely to fly from Holland for interviews with the board.