MELBOURNE City are set to make an audacious bid to rob an A-League rival in an attempt to replace John van’t Schip, who shocked everyone by resigning on Tuesday.

Van’t Schip returned to the Netherlands to be with his ill father, with City immediately inundated with a host of applications within 24 hours of the announcement.

And now, Fox Sports understands Adelaide United coach Gui Amor is a key contender, as City look set to “pillage” their A-League rivals.

“Melbourne City adhere to the City Football Group’s philosophy which is basically the Spanish style of play,” John Kosmina explained on Fox Sports’ Sunday Shootout. “My mail was on, and I suggested him, Josep Gombau as he was linked about 12 months ago before he came back with the Socceroos.

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“I have also heard maybe Gui Amor [could take over]. If you look at the Barcelona connection there, there’s a lot of stories in Adelaide about Melbourne City.

Melbourne City coach Michael Valkanis is currently in charge. Source: AAP

“You’ve got Michael Petrillo and Michael Valkanis in the football staff at City and there’s talk they’ll get Isaias next season with Sergio Cirio going there too.

“They’re basically going to pillage the Adelaide Spanish connection.”

In recent weeks, Amor has also been linked with a shock move to become Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach at Manchester City, strengthening the rumours of a link up with City Football Group.

Gombau also had been linked with the New York City job in the MLS after leaving Adelaide (another of the City-branded clubs) before working with former Melbourne City guest player David Villa with his academy in Puerto Rico

With Valkanis taking over on an interim basis, City have reshuffled the coaching set up of their entire club – including the W-League and youth set up – in the wake of Van’t Schip’s decision.

But while Amor’s name has emerged, there has also been talk that a former Premier League and FA Cup finalist manager could throw their hat into the ring as an option.

Spanish star soccer player David Villa, who has a link with Josep Gombau. Source: News Corp Australia

“The three of us were going through FA Cup finalists coaches over the last 10 years,” Mark Bosnich said on Shootout. “I’ve had it on very good authority that it’s not either of Alan Pardew and Tim Sherwood.

“In that case, the other [options] are: Alan Curbishley, Avram Grant, who is with Ghana at the moment, Steve Bruce, who is with Aston Villa, Kenny Dalglish, Dennis Wise, Gordon Strachan or David Jones who coached Cardiff against Portsmouth back in 2008.

“Out of all of them, no one really jumps out at you to say ‘ok that sounds right’. Maybe Avram Grant but he’s with Ghana and he’s got the African Cup of Nations right now.”