- Kevin Muscat made the journalists in the room nervous
- X’s images show that he is still a feared man
- Is he the current head of the port of Shanghai in China?
- Great reputation during his days as a footballer
Australian footballer Kevin Muscat built a fearsome reputation as a tough guy in his playing days, and it appears that hasn’t changed as head coach.
In a video uploaded to X, reporters were given the chance to ask the Shanghai Port boss for his thoughts following the 2-2 draw with Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim in the opening match of the AFC Champions League Elite Group earlier this week.
Muscat, 51, had earlier given his opinion on leaving with a point, and it was clear that no journalist dared to ask him further.
He could be seen looking at the assembled media and laughing as the press conference abruptly ended.
On the pitch, Muscat was a force to be reckoned with.
He signed for Crystal Palace from South Melbourne in 1996 and quickly gained a reputation in the UK as a no-nonsense defender.
After helping the Eagles to promotion, Muscat played in the Premier League before moving to top-flight Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He was at Wolves until 2002, and his next major club was Scottish giants Rangers, where he won three domestic trophies at Ibrox.
He built up a fearsome reputation as a tough man in football during his playing days, and it seems nothing has changed when it comes to Kevin Muscat, the manager (pictured).
Reporters were given the chance to ask the Shanghai Port boss (left) for his thoughts after the 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 falling out with Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp when he played for Wolves)
Muscat was once named the dirtiest player in football history by a leading Spanish football website (pictured, grabbing Liverpool striker Milan Baros by the neck)
Millwall was his next challenge, before he moved 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 led to him receiving a staggering 123 bookings and 12 red cards when he laced up his boots.
In what would likely have been a badge of honour for Muscat, in 2013 Spanish football website El Gol Digital named him the dirtiest player in the history of the sport.
He was once sued by former Charlton Athletic midfielder Matty Holmes, who had four operations on his leg following a horrific tackle by Muscat in 1998.
At one point there were concerns that Holmes might need to have his leg amputated.
After retiring in 2011, Muscat turned his attention to coaching, first with Melbourne Victory at national level.
In 2022, he won the J-League title with Yokohama F. Marinos and is on the verge of winning more titles this season with Shanghai Port in the Chinese Super League.
With just a handful of matches left to play, his team has lost just once in 25 games and leads the competition ahead of Shanghai Shenhua FC.
He is also unlikely to replace Graham Arnold as Socceroos coach, who is happy to continue earning his stripes in Asia before an eventual move to a European club.
