Kevin Muscat. Is he set to become the next Rangers head coach?
According to reports, the A-Leagues legend and current Shanghai Port boss is the favourite to replace Russell Martin at the Scottish powerhouse.
BBC Sport claims Muscat is leading the race to fill the void at Ibrox amid mounting speculation in the UK the former Rangers defender is the favourite after Steven Gerrard ruled himself out of the running. STV says Rangers have held talks with the Aussie.
It comes as the ex-Melbourne Victory coach has Shanghai Port on track for a third consecutive Chinese Super League title.
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Defending champions Port are two points clear atop the table with four rounds remaining and it is believed Muscat will not depart Shanghai until the conclusion of their title bid next month.
INSIDE MUSCAT’S HISTORIC SHANGHAI TRIUMPH: ‘I’ve never seen that… he could be in the EPL now’
Muscat is no stranger to Rangers, with the 52-year-old playing for the club in 2002-03.
“Musky will know what’s needed having been there and done it,” former Rangers coach Alex McLeish told the Scottish Sun, having signed Muscat in 2002.
“Being at the club would have been good for his education of Glasgow Rangers. I know there are a number of people being talked about as contenders.
“But Musky is definitely someone with the character and personality to do a good job.”
This is the third time Muscat has been linked with Rangers – the former Socceroo narrowly missed out on the job to Philippe Clement in 2023 before emerging as an option again prior to Martin’s appointment in June.
After winning the 2024 CSL, Muscat told aleagues.com.au: “I was really happy because I had one or two private discussions with different parties towards the end of last season and in discussions, people actually from clubs said that ‘Well, that really can’t work here and how do you know that can work here, your methods?’
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“Whereas here, the sports director Mr (Xiang) Sun, he’s one of the first two Chinese players to play in Europe. It was the complete opposite. I want you come out here and do what you’ve done in Shanghai. I want you to build it your way.
“I’m really happy for those guys because it was a completely different conversation. It wasn’t me trying to justify why it can work. I’m not going to try and justify my work. What it does mean is you’re not really truly believing in it. At some point there’s going to be a bump in the road and you know what? That’s going to be the first thing to come to your mind.”
“When I finished those conversations, I was like you know what? Maybe this is not for me, because they’ve not followed me enough to to actually stick their neck out.”
He continues to be linked with a move abroad thanks to his work in Australia and Asia.
The highly-rated Muscat became the first Australian to win league trophies in Australia, Japan and China after last season’s success in Shanghai, on the back of titles with Victory in the Isuzu UTE A-League and Yokohama F.Marinos in the J1 League.
Muscat achieved what he set out to do at the beginning of 2024 – lead Shanghai Port to silverware with style. His attacking and high-octane brand of football took the Chinese juggernaut to an historic CSL title as they soared to heights they have never reached before.
Never before had Shanghai Port gone back-to-back in the Chinese Super League… until Muscat arrived with fellow Australians Ross Aloisi, Greg King and Vincenzo Ierardo by his side. His side shattered other records, including the CSL record for most consecutive matches won and most goals scored.
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Fast forward to this season and Port are on track for a three-peat despite some big-name departures.
Ex-Chelsea star Oscar broke the CSL record for most assists (20) and Wu Lei’s 34 goals created league history at the age of 32, while former Espanyol player Vargas enjoyed a career-best season with 12 goals.
Oscar and Vargas have since departed, and Chinese talisman Wu Lei has been sidelined with injury.
Yet, Port continue to lead the way in a nail-biting title race.
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“For me, he is up there with the best because he has the stats to prove it as far as wins go,” Port assistant coach and fellow Aussie Ross Aloisi told aleagues.com.au previously.
“To win a Championship anywhere is always difficult but the way he’s won them and the football he’s played puts him up there with the best.
“Where will he end up? Anywhere. He can coach anywhere. It’s not just football, it’s the psychology behind everything. The tactical side of things, it’s not just the training session. To play the football he wants to play, there’s a lot of work that goes into it. Video.
“His thought process on analysis and the way he presents to players is something I’ve never seen before, because he thinks of the way a player thinks, so visual. The way he speaks to players before the game, at half-time – it’s an art. A lot of people don’t have that art.
“He could end up anywhere – in Saudi Arabia, the EPL, Scottish Premier League, Europe somewhere at a big club. Everything I’ve said there sums up what type of coach I believe he is. He gets the best out of people but he demands a lot. He’s not rude in the way he does it.”
Another of Muscat’s assistant coaches, Vincenzo Ierardo, added: “He has a clear belief in the way the game should be played. We have staff who believe the same things he does.
“How good is he? For me, Kev could be in the Premier League now, tomorrow. I watch a lot of football like everyone does, his management side of the game, the way he manages players, staff, board, is second to none.
“How far can he go is up to Kev. If we call the Premier League the best league in the world, he will reach those levels no problem.”
