Just what he is prepared to do to ensure he gets there is unclear. It is also unclear who his powerful backers are. But they are there and as ABC Offsiders sports commentators noted last week, they or Muscat directly are influencing the Melbourne Victory Board.
There is an almost unspoken feeling that Muscat is a crowd draw crowd for Victory, that he adds to the press coverage which is good as long as they spell A-League and sponsors' names right. I disagree. His career includes going to court for violence on the field, foul play that shortened young players careers on the A-League field, cruel mind games and suspensions for gambling 'by his wife.' Every team in the A-League including Melbourne Victory would be better off without him.
It appears that Muscat is desperate for Mehmet Durakovic to stay as Melbourne coach. That is, until he is ready to take over. So you can almost see him holding up Durakovic by the scruff of his collar - leaning back and straining, blood vessels appearing on Muscat's neck and forehead. The struggle of his life. Hiding his brutality from the public glare but working on the Board, seeding ideas about Kewell and his worth.
Kewell had had the answer in Argentinian international Abel Balbo, and the Board had signed up to that. It would have finished Muscat. But Muscat does not want Durakovic to be too successful. That would finish him too. Durakovic is part of the future of Australian soccer. He is only 46 and played and was coached by Ange.
On the other hand Kevin Muscat is a very old 38. He could pass for much older. As Tiatto said, getting rid of the old farts is a very good thing. If Victory can do that, they can renew and be great again.
Here are some references:
'... a key position for Balbo envisaged the former Serie A striker taking on a number of duties with Victory, and bringing his experience to assist rookie coaches, Durakovic and Kevin Muscat. It was suggested that Balbo could take control of all Victory youth programs and academy development. The Argentinian's overseas network could have helped him identify potential overseas signings, while he could have also assisted in talent identification of local players. In addition, his contacts could have helped Victory ''establish global networks with clubs and players overseas''.' The Age.
'Muscat, along with Queensland Roar captain Craig Moore, was fined on Friday while Victory midfielder Grant Brebner was suspended for two matches by Football Federation Australia after it was discovered all three players had bet on matches involving A-League teams this year.' The Roar.
In 2004, a lawsuit on Muscat brought by former Charlton Athletic player Matty Holmes resulted in a settlement of £250,000 plus costs in favour of Holmes, bringing the estimated settlement to around £750,000. Holmes had to have four operations on his leg following a tackle by Muscat in 1998, and there were initial fears that his leg might have to be amputated. The claim was settled at the High Court without any admission of liability. Wikipedia.
'Through his lawyers, Muscat, 30, wished Holmes well for the future, but brushed past him when he entered Court 76 and the pair did not even exchange glances at the end of the 20-minute proceedings.' The Age.
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