Kevin Muscat created more history in China after the A-Leagues great guided Shanghai Port to their first Chinese FA Cup title.
With fellow Australians and A-Leagues alumni Ross Aloisi (Brisbane Roar, Adelaide United), Vincenzo Ierardo (Western United, Melbourne Victory) and Greg King (Adelaide United), the CSL champions pulled off their first ever league-and-cup double with a 3-1 triumph over Shandong Taishan – the club’s maiden FA Cup crown, on Saturday.
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“Fantastic end to domestic season winning the double. both CSL & CFA Cup! Massive thanks to Kevin Muscat, Ross Aloisi and Greg King!,” Ierardo wrote via social media post-match.
“Amazing staff to work with and even better human beings! Now we re-focus on the Asian Champions League in a few days time!”
It comes after Muscat was named the CSL’s Coach of the Month for October/November.
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The former Melbourne Victory and Yokohama F.Marinos boss already became the first Aussie to win league trophies in Australia, Japan and China having pipped Shanghai Shenhua to the CSL title earlier this month.
Muscat led Shanghai Port to silverware in 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.
His side shattered other records, including the CSL record for most consecutive matches won and most goals scored.
For Muscat, adding the CSL championship to his Isuzu UTE A-League and J1 League honours provided great satisfaction. Why? Before opting to swap Japanese side Yokohama F.Marinos for Shanghai, there was interest from elsewhere.
He was heavily linked with Scottish Premiership giants Rangers and was reportedly one of the final two candidates before they decided to appoint Belgian Philippe Clement in October last year.
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In an interview with aleagues.com.au ahead of the final, Muscat said: “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?’
“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.
“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.
“Whereas our pre-season, I thought we were a bit behind, we had some injuries, we weren’t anywhere near ready for the Super Cup or the start of the season. But there was never any (doubt), not even an inkling. It was the complete opposite. The GM, the President, and particularly Mr. Sun, it was full steam ahead.
“As soon as there is a little bit of a chink in in the armour, people can smell it. All of a sudden, you wonder why it sort of goes downhill, or doesn’t go from strength to strength because you’re only as strong as your weakest link. It was the opposite here.
“I was really happy for Sun, the GM and president because they put their necks on the line, they stuck their neck out.”
