Kevin Muscat has declared coaching the Melbourne Victory is his new long-term aim after announcing he will retire from playing within the next three months.
Muscat, 37, will bring down the curtain on a 21-year professional playing career after the Victory’s Asian Champions League campaign.
That will either be after the A-League club’s six group matches or the round of 16 tie in May if the Victory qualify for the next stage.
Should the Victory progress further than that, Muscat won’t take any further part in the tournament and will move to a fulltime assistant coach’s role for the next two seasons.
The former Socceroo has set his sights on succeeding Ernie Merrick as coach of the club – but believes he is several years away from doing so.
“One day I want to coach and I want to manage this football club,” Muscat said.
“Am I anywhere near it now? No, I’m not. I’m miles off.
“I’m aware I’ve got to do a thorough apprenticeship.
“When I do put my hand up and want to take a job, I want to make sure I’m prepared to be the best coach I can possibly be.”
Merrick has also endorsed Muscat as a potential coach.
“Not only has he a coaching personality and technical knowledge, his ability to communicate and get the best out of people is first-class,” Merrick said.
“He’ll be an outstanding coach and no doubt down the track he’ll be the coach of Melbourne Victory.”
Muscat’s on-field career included a decade playing overseas for Crystal Palace, Wolves, Glasgow Rangers and Millwall, 51 caps for the Socceroos and leading the Victory to two A-League titles.
In an emotional media conference on Wednesday, Muscat admitted not being able to do things on the field and at training that he used to had prompted his decision to retire.
“After a lot of consideration and deliberation, I kept asking myself ‘was it time?’ and I realised how frustrated I’d become.
“Turning up for training, not being able to do what I asked of other people throughout my career – and that’s giving 100 per cent.
“Increasingly I found I was unable to do that and when I was able to do that, it took me a couple of days to recover.”
Muscat rated his career highlight as the penalty he scored in the Socceroos’ 1-0 World Cup qualifier win over Uruguay at the MCG in 2001.
But he has never been far from controversy.
Sued by former Charlton player Matty Holmes for a 1998 tackle Holmes blamed for ruining his career, Muscat was also universally condemned for a sickening challenge last month on Melbourne Heart opponent Adrian Zahra.
That earned him an eight-week suspension which finished his A-League career.
Despite questionable tackles and an on-field demeanour which at times sparked outrage, Muscat says he could not have wrung the best out of his career without his combative streak.
“What brought me to that career was that playing on the edge, that winning attitude. For that I’m not going to apologise,” Muscat said.
“But I’ve got to admit that I have erred and there are situations and specific moments and time which I certainly do regret.
“But … I am who I am.”
Muscat also confirmed he would stand down as Victory captain for the ACL, with Adrian Leijer to lead the side through that tournament as well as the A-League finals.
FACTBOX ON KEVIN MUSCAT
DOB: August 7, 1973
Birthplace: Crawley, England
International career
1994-2006 Australia
Appearances: 51
Goals: 10
Club career
1989-1990 Sunshine George Cross (Australia)
1991-1992 Heidelberg United (Australia)
1992-1996 South Melbourne (Australia)
1996-1997 Crystal Palace (England)
1997-2002 Wolves (England)
2002-2003 Glasgow Rangers (Scotland)
2003-2005 Millwall (England)
2005-2011 Melbourne Victory (Australia)
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