Kevin Muscat to announce retirement

Bozza expressed disappointment at Muskies tackle.... Sure he think he's a great bloke and a wonderful player but he was verrrrrry outspoken about THAT tackle.

Look Im sure he is a gentleman but when the pressures on he cracks. Look at you tube. you be the judge.

Its a pity he wont look after his club then... 8 weeks and not in the final with out you captaio. Great leadership.

He's gone, that's the end of it. He was a player with great leadership abilities however one who let his competitiveness slide into gamesmanship and borderline thuggery. The push against the Heart defensive wall in the same game he received the red best illustrates the player he'd become. He was always a player that worked the margins for an advantage and as he became older he felt the need to work those margins harder. The niggling and the agression aimed at the rules and the refs and less at the ball slowly eroded the patience of the wider sporting public. It is no coincidence that his detractors on this site come from all the A-Leagues clubs, including Victory, but his defenders from one club alone. As long as he doesn't bring this aspect of his playing career into his coaching I'm sure he'll make a very good coach (at least as a motivator, as a tactician we will only find out once he has full reins at a club). I hope for his sake that he has a good ACL and finishes it with a clean slate. He has the technical ability to do just that; it all comes down to the way he wants to leave the game as it presents his last chance as a player to leave on his own terms.

Of course you won't bother with those "other assertions" because you're too afraid of acknowledging the damage he has done. Intellectual dishonesty? ;)

... in relation to Christophe Dugarry - you are making FALSE claims, so I won't even bother with the other assertions. Dugarry was injured on 11/11/2001 and the French started crying about the tackle potentially ending Dugarry's career. But THE FACTs tell us Dugarry played football at the highest level after the injury: ... 1. Dugarry was picked to represent France in the 2002 FIFA WC. France was the reigning champion of the World. a) On 31/05/2002 - 6 months after his alleged career-ending injury, Dugarry came on as a 2nd half substitute in France's opening match of the 2002 FIFA WC. France were 1-0 down and desperate to get back in the game. b) a week later Dugarry again came on very late in France's 2nd WC match against Uruguay, which ended 0-0 c) On 11-06-02, Dugarry was in the starting 11 for France's crunch game against Denmark - France simply had to win to get through the Group stage ... they didn't 2. Dugarry transferred to Birmingham in the EPL and scored 5 goals in 5 games ... Not bad for a guy whose career apparently "went downhill" after Muskie's tackle. PS: I heard a rumour ... a guy fitting Muskie's description was seen lurking around the grassy knoll in Dallas, Texas around 12:30 p.m. (Dallas time) on 22 November 1963 ... you may want to check that out, too?

Let us see the impact he had on his victims: Craig Bellamy- injury derailed Norwich's promotion bid, leading to the demise of Bruce Rioch. Matty Holmes- amputation was a possibility after Muscat's horror tackle. Had a fair journeyman career prior, but never recovered from that injury. At least he's now coaching. Christophe Dugarry- fair to say his career went rapidly downhill after then. Retired in 2005. Adrian Zahra- will he be the same after this? Those facts are damning but you keep up the defence of the guy.

Notice that Roy Keane only developed this reputation at Manchester United. Because at Nottingham Forest, Brian Clough would NEVER have stood for the crap he could get away with at OT. And that's because Brian Clough believed in playing football the right way and playing within the rules of the game.

The most successful captain in the history of the EPL (note I said EPL) is Roy Keane. SAF and Man United fans had to constantly defend Keano against scathing criticism from the media, opponents and opposition fans ... now where have I heard that before??

How about you ask Bozza, Timmy, Marco, Dukes & Johnny what they think of Muskie. I reckon you'll be surprised by their answer. And, remember, these guys would know Muskie - as a person AND as a player - better than you or I. I've only met Muskie a couple to times socially and he's a perfect gentleman and scholar of the game - he is going to make a wonderful manager.

Truly great captains never have to be defended. Bobby Moore, Brian Labone, Stuart Pearce - all represented honourable sportsmanship. We've had defenders at Everton such as Labone, John Hurst, Mick Lyons (never the most gifted but a wholehearted trier), Kevin Ratcliffe, Derek Mountfield, Dave Watson- NONE of those ever had to be reckless. Because they knew what standard was expected of club and its fans.

Ray Baartz, Jimmy Mackay, Adrian Alston, Oscar Crino, Mark Bosnich, Tim Cahill, Marco Bresciano, Mark Viduka, John Aloisi... those are the sort of people who have earned a place in Australian football history and command respect. Kevin Muscat on the other hand has never commanded the same respect despite his lengthy career at club and international level. In fact, if you ask Wolves fans, his sending off one year was seen as costing them a play-off place.

Get over yourself - all of here in Melbourne defend him for three reasons (1) The stats dont support the basis contention about Kevin from detractors (2) We can seperate genuine dissapointment in Kevin from the ranting of fans whos' teams he has been beating for years and (3) thats what we do down here - look after our captain. History will look after him as his contribution is 'head and shoulders' above 99.9% of Australian footballers....... not to mention the keyboard warriors in this place.

Yeah how dare he defend his team's captain.

Mate I've seen stronger punches at children's parties.

Muscat did not injure Mathew Leckie - I was at the game and Muscat was nowhere near the incident. Leckie came into the game with a badly injured knee that was heavily strapped. Surat Surkha, who is regarded by team-mates, opponents and fans as one of the most placid and gentlemanly footballers, laid the tackle that aggravated Leckie's injury further.

Fussball ist unser leben Stop trying to defend him. I generally respect most of your comment but trying to defend Muscat is way out of line.

At last this animal has gone.It was not the A-League it was Muskat League.No one could argue with K.Muscat including FFA and Referees.This animal damaged football player in England ,when Muscat played there.He terrible injured Henrique from Brisbane Roar,the Leakey from Adelaide United and finally he killed young player from Melbourne Heart. But now every one is happy Kevin Muscat gone from A-league and I hope forever.

:) I don't care where a player comes from if they turn into a good player. I would prefer they come from Melbourne and Victoria in general as all clubs should be looking at their local area. There are plenty of young players out there that other A-League teams reject that would decent guidance can be good, even great A-League players.

1. Eugene left b/c he was not the 1st choice keeper. 2. Caceres wasn't going to be offered a new contract. 3. Thwaite was never signed by MVFC - he was playing for us "on loan" from his Norwegian club, SK Brann. So, he transferred to GCU from Brann NOT MVFC. 4. Piorkowski was excellent for MVFC but, sadly, injured his knee during the 06/07 double-winning season. MVFC offered him a new contract but decided to try his options overseas. Obviously, things didn't work out o/s and he returned to the Jets (08) and GCU (09- ..). He's played 2 games in 2 seasons with GCU. Source: http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccer/piorkowski-quits-victory-for-europe/2008/05/14/1210764953162.html