Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat has poured cold water over speculation linking his Hyundai A-League club with a move for Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
The 36-year-old former England international became a free agent last week after his contract expired with MLS outfit LA Galaxy.
Since then, there has been speculation of a move to the Hyundai A-League and other leagues.
Would Steven Gerrard suit a Hyundai A-League move?
However Muscat has all but extinguished hopes of a deal being brokered with the Victorian powerhouse, who faced Gerrard’s Liverpool in 2013 at the MCG in front of over 95,000 fans in a friendly.
“We’ve been contacted in relation to a few players. But any discussions with those players will remain confidential.
“At this stage, there’s no chance, no,” Muscat told SEN Radio when asked about the Gerrard speculation.
There are reports suggesting the Reds icon is instead interested in pursuing a career in coaching, beginning at his former club where he can learn the trade.
This week he turned down a coaching role with English club MK Dons saying it came too soon for him.
Speaking to the same radio station, Victory CEO Ian Robson echoed his coach’s thoughts about the transfer speculation.
“To me it just seems a million miles off because the money involved from what we’re led to believe is just going to make it unaffordable and uneconomic,” Robson said.
“Is it a player that would turn the dial in terms of interest? I don’t think there’s any doubt Steven Gerrard would turn the dial.
“But whether or not what we would think it would be pragmatic, practical – dare I say it, affordable – in real terms here, is sometimes a long way off.”
Gerrard’s LA Galaxy teammate Robbie Keane has also been linked with a move to the Hyundai A-League with Brisbane Roar. Though the Queensland club have said publicly the financial demands of Keane would almost certainly rule them out of the bidding.
