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Muscat quits Melbourne Victory in tears after 14 successful years
MELBOURNE, May 20, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – A tearful Kevin Muscat quit as
Melbourne Victory head coach by mutual agreement on Monday, ending his 14-
year association with the A-League powerhouse.
“It’s clearly an emotional time,” Muscat, who gained a reputation a hard
man during his playing career, said at a press conference as he wiped away
tears.
“But I’d like to look upon it as a time of celebration, celebrating what
we’ve build together and what we’ve achieved together, celebrating 14 strong
years together and also the success that we’ve earned together.”
His departure follows an embarrassing 6-1 thrashing by Sydney FC in the
A-League semi-finals this month, with his last game in charge to be the final
AFC Champions League group clash against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday.
Victory are bottom of the group and already eliminated.
Muscat, 45, played for Victory between 2005 and 2011 before being
appointed assistant coach and then taking over the reins in 2013 when Ange
Postecoglou was put in charge of Australia.
He captained the club to the 2007 and 2009 A-League crowns and coached
them to the 2015 and 2018 titles.
The former Socceroo, who had stints at Wolves, Crystal Palace and
Rangers during a long playing career, said he would take a break and then
look for a new challenge.
“I believe the time is right for me to refresh, and in time, seek a new
opportunity after giving everything I’ve got emotionally and physically to
Melbourne Victory over the last 14 years,” he said.
“We have created and earned many great memories along the way, including
our eight trophies.”
Club chairman Anthony Di Pietro said they came to a “unified agreement
that it was time to part ways”.
“The parting was an ongoing collaboration and unified decision, and we
wish Kevin nothing but the best for his future,” he said, adding that Muscat
would go down as “one of the most influential figures in Melbourne Victory’s
history”.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1047 hrs