Melbourne Heart coach John van't Schip has revealed his idol was former Holland star Johan Cruyff.
The Dutchman, who will lead the new A-League franchise in their first season, says that whenever he would play as a youngster, Cruyff would be the player he would try and emulate.
"Cruyff was my idol," van't Schip said. "After that, every day I was playing, trying to be him. We all have idols and want to be someone. I was Cruyff."
van't Schip recalled the day Cruyff made a comeback for his beloved club, the same day he made his debut for Ajax.
"Halfway through the season he had a comeback and in his comeback game I made my debut," van't Schip said. "It was an incredible day. The whole stadium was crowded and he made a magnificent goal.
| "I was in the dressingroom and only watching him. I watched how he put on his shoes, he went to the toilet and I watched.
"I was sitting on the bench and kept watching and then he made that goal. He got the ball, and passed two players and chipped from 60m out. Everyone went crazy.
"He was a very special person for me," van't Schip added. "He still is."
45-year old van't Schip was born in Canada and spent all of his playing days with Ajax as well as Italian club Genoa, whilst representing Holland on 41 occasions.
He will lead the Melbourne Heart, the A-League's 11th team, in the 2010/11 season and beyond.