John van 't Schip has resigned as head coach of Melbourne City.

The Dutchman has decided to return to Holland to look after his terminally ill father rather than continue in his role as manager of the A-League club.

"I have been faced with a choice between my family in Holland and my work here in Australia and there was only one right decision," van' t Schip said in a press statement.

"I did not want my personal circumstances to impact the Club in any way. I am part of a strong coaching team that has been carefully nurtured over the last three years and that gives me great confidence that this situation will not adversely affect the Club's progress.

"I would like to thank everyone at Melbourne City and the City Football Group for their support. The Club's development since its creation will always be a source of great personal pride to me."

The former Ajax and Genoa winger has the sister club of Manchester City sitting fourth on the Australian top flight table after 13 matches of the 2016/17 season.