Heart slide doesn't end with Aloisi

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MELBOURNE Heart's board is under growing pressure from fans and corporate backers alike to sack under siege coach John Aloisi after Friday's insipid showing against Sydney FC.

Rooted to the bottom of the table with two goals in six games, it's the Heart board that has plenty to answer for after a rapid 18-month demise has culminated in the club becoming the antithesis of its original philosophy.

Declaring attack and youth as their point of difference to neighbours Melbourne Victory, Heart has transformed into an ageing, dour, defensive unit that can't deliver results.

When Heart kicked off in 2010 they recruited a well credentialed foreigner to set the culture and headhunted arguably the best young Australian coach to be groomed by John van't Schip with a view to replacing him.

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By the time the Dutchman quit in 2012, Ante Milicic had served a top three-year apprenticeship - coach of the year and first place with NSW state league side Sydney United, two FIFA U20 World Cups with the Young Socceroos and almost three years as an A-League assistant.

But the Heart board backflipped on the Milicic pledge, declaring an interview process would take place.

So what happened?

John Aloisi was a frustrated Sydney FC striker when he met van't Schip and football operations manager John Didulica on the eve of Heart's first season.

He was talked out of retirement by with the promise that he won't be pressured to play each week and - the clincher - a deal that rolled over into a coaching contract at the end of his one-year contract.

Aloisi then commenced his UEFA coaching badges in England and Heart was suitably impressed with his work ethic and determination in recruiting the club's inaugural youth squad.

By the end of his maiden youth league season Craig Goodwin, a player he had plucked from state league side Oakleigh, had broken into the seniors.

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Heart's youth team travelled to Hawaii for a tournament against senior opposition and with van't Schip having just quit Aloisi, who was touted a serious contender by Heart's board, was closely watched by chief executive Scott Munn.

The performances were good and Aloisi presented well. He was now on the same line of betting as Milicic.

Both undertook two separate interview processes with Munn and Didulica followed by the Heart board.

Having had years to contemplate life as head coach, Milicic had two non-negotiables in his interview.

He wanted a more experienced coach to assist him, such as Rado Vidosic, and his no.1 target was disillusioned Victory midfielder Carlos Hernandez who Milicic felt could deliver regular finals football and lift crowds.

Aloisi was more flexible and wanted Milicic as his assistant.

Heart's board knew Milicic was the better candidate in football terms but felt Aloisi's profile would help the club bridge the gap between them and Victory, remembering Heart finished sixth, two spots and eight points ahead of Victory that season.

Finances may have also played a part but Heart's board felt with the right support, Aloisi would eventually succeed.

John Aloisi makes a point at Heart training.. Pic: George Salpigtidis Source: News Limited

With the ultimate call, chairman Peter Sidwell and his five fellow directors went with Aloisi.

To add insult to injury for Milicic, Heart chief executive Scott Munn tried to block his move to the Wanderers and demanded compensation when Tony Popovic lured him as his assistant.

Heart's given Aloisi ample support and now sports the most beefed up backroom staff in the A-League, yet the team is in disarray and has the hallmarks of a team not playing for its coach.

Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne has clearly been Heart's best player this season and that's a tell-tale sign.

While Heart's board made the call, Aloisi didn't have to put his hand up for the senior job after an apprenticeship of just 18 youth league games.

Kevin Muscat a fortnight ago said only now, almost three years after retiring and having worked under Ange Postecoglou, does he realise how ill-prepared he was when he coached as interim after a year.

Aloisi has a thicker skin than most, having been scorned - often unfairly - late in his playing career when his knees were that bad he'd rarely train.

But he had that look of resignation after Friday night's 2-0 debacle against a Sydney side whose away form has been as bad as Heart's.

If Aloisi manages to arrest this slump and see out his contract, which expires at the end of the 2014-15 season, it will be a miraculous recovery.

Aloisi has shown plenty to suggest he will become a decent A-League coach, that it will come to fruition at Heart is looking increasingly unlikely.

Unfortunately for Heart, Milicic remains the best Aussie candidate without a senior role.

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