John van't Schip Leaves the Armenian National Team

Dutch specialist John van't Schip and his assistant Aron Winter are leaving the Armenian national team. According to insider Suren Meliksetyan, the coaching duo spent their last evening in Yerevan on August 4 and will no longer work with the national team. 

The Short Era of Schip 
Van't Schip took charge of the Armenian national team in March 2025, but during his tenure, the team failed to deliver the desired results. Under his leadership, the Armenian squad played 4 matches: 
- 2 defeats in the Nations League against Georgia (0-3 and 1-6) 
- A crushing loss to Kosovo (2-5) in a friendly 
- A draw with Montenegro (2-2) 

Such results clearly did not satisfy the leadership of the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA), leading to the Dutch coach's resignation. 

Who Will Replace Schip? 

The main candidate for the new head coach position is Egishe Melikyan, the current manager of Pyunik. However, Melikyan himself has so far denied rumors about the appointment. 

*"No one has contacted me regarding the national team job. I’ve also read these reports, but there’s nothing concrete yet. However, if an offer comes, I won’t refuse. I’m a patriot of my country, and this is about the national team,"* Melikyan stated at a post-match press conference. 

Despite his words, sources claim that he may take over the national team in the coming days. His first match in charge (if confirmed) will be on September 6 against Portugal in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.  

UPDATED: Yeghishe Melikyan appointed head coach of the Armenian national team