- Kevin Muscat had room of journalists on edge
- Footage on X showed he remains a feared man
- Is the current boss of Shanghai Port in China
- Wild reputation during his football playing days
Aussie footballer Kevin Muscat forged a fearsome reputation as a hard man in his playing days – and it seems nothing has changed as a head coach.
In footage uploaded to X, journalists were given the opportunity to ask the Shanghai Port boss his thoughts following a 2-2 draw with Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim in the AFC Champions League Elite opening group game earlier this week.
Muscat, 51, had earlier given his view on walking away with a point – and it was clear no reporters were bold enough to quiz him further.
He could be seen gazing at the assembled media, and laughed when the press conference abruptly concluded.
On the pitch, Muscat was a force to be reckoned with.
He signed with Crystal Palace from South Melbourne in 1996, and quickly earnt a reputation in the United Kingdom as a no-nonsense defender.
After helping the Eagles get promoted, Muscat played in the Premier League before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were in the first division.
He was on Wolves’ books until 2002, with his next club significant – Scottish giants Rangers, where he won a treble of domestic trophies at Ibrox.
He forged a fearsome reputation as a football hard man in his playing days – and it seems nothing has changed when it comes Kevin Muscat the coach (pictured)
Journalists were given the opportunity to ask the Shanghai Port boss (left) his thoughts following a 2-2 draw with Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim in the AFC Champions League this week – and the silence was deafening
On the pitch, Muscat was a force to be reckoned with (pictured, after tussling with Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp when playing for Wolves)
Muscat was once named football’s dirtiest ever player by a leading Spanish football website (pictured, grabbing Liverpool striker Milan Baros by the throat)
Millwall was his next challenge, before moving to Australia to become Melbourne Victory’s inaugural captain in the 2005–06 A-League season.
Muscat also represented the Socceroos on 46 occasions in what was a decorated career, but his reckless nature saw him receive a staggering 123 cautions and 12 red cards when lacing his boots.
In what would have been a likely badge of honour for Muscat, in 2013 Spanish football website El Gol Digital named him the sport’s dirtiest ever player.
He was once sued by former Charlton Athletic midfielder Matty Holmes, who had four operations on his leg following a horror tackle by Muscat in 1998.
At one stage there were concerns Holmes may need his leg amputated.
After retiring in 2011, Muscat turned his attention to coaching, first with Melbourne Victory domestically.
In 2022, he won the J-League title with Yokohama F. Marinos – and is on the verge of more silverware this season with Shanghai Port in the Chinese Super League.
With just a handful of fixtures to play, his team have lost just once in 25 games to lead the competition ahead of Shanghai Shenhua F.C.
He is also unlikely to replace Graham Arnold as Socceroos coach, happy to continue earning his stripes in Asia before an eventual move to a European club.
