View source for Kevin Muscat

{{Short description|English-born Australian association footballer and Manager}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kevin Muscat
| image = Melbourne Victory Chairman Anthony Di Pietro with Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 232
| caption = Muscat in 2013
| fullname = Kevin Vincent Muscat<ref name="Hugman2005-06 291">{{Cite book |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2005/2006 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |year=2005 |isbn=1852916621 |editor-last=Hugman |editor-first=Barry J. |page=291}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|8|7|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman2005-06 291" />
| birth_place = [[Crawley]], England
| height = 1.80 m<ref name="Hugman2005-06 291" />
| position = [[Defender (association football)|Defender]]
| currentclub = [[Shanghai Port F.C.]] (Head coach)
| clubnumber = 
| youthyears1 = 1989–1990
| youthclubs1 = [[Sunshine George Cross FC|Sunshine George Cross]]
| youthyears2 = 1990–1991
| youthclubs2 = [[Australian Institute of Sport Football Program|AIS]]
| years1 = 1989–1990
| clubs1 = [[Sunshine George Cross FC|Sunshine George Cross]]
| caps1 = 9
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1991–1992
| clubs2 = [[Heidelberg United]]
| caps2 = 19
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 1992–1996
| clubs3 = [[South Melbourne FC|South Melbourne]]
| caps3 = 70
| goals3 = 3
| years4 = 1996–1997
| clubs4 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
| caps4 = 53
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 1997–2002
| clubs5 = [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]
| caps5 = 180
| goals5 = 14
| years6 = 2002–2003
| clubs6 = [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]
| caps6 = 22
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2003–2005
| clubs7 = [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]
| caps7 = 53
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2005–2011
| clubs8 = [[Melbourne Victory FC|Melbourne Victory]]
| caps8 = 113
| goals8 = 28
| years9 = 2011
| clubs9 = [[Sunshine George Cross FC|Sunshine George Cross]]
| caps9 = 3
| goals9 = 1
| totalcaps = 522
| totalgoals = 48
| nationalyears1 = 1991–1993
| nationalteam1 = [[Australia national under-20 football team|Australia U-20]]
| nationalcaps1 = 9
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 1992–1996
| nationalteam2 = [[Australia men's national under-23 soccer team|Australia U-23]]
| nationalcaps2 = 15
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 1994–2006
| nationalteam3 = [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]]
| nationalcaps3 = 46
| nationalgoals3 = 10
| manageryears1 = 2012
| managerclubs1 = [[Melbourne Victory FC|Melbourne Victory]] (caretaker)
| manageryears2 = 2013–2019
| managerclubs2 = [[Melbourne Victory FC|Melbourne Victory]]
| manageryears3 = 2020
| managerclubs3 = [[Sint-Truidense V.V.|Sint-Truiden]]
| manageryears4 = 2021–2023
| managerclubs4 = [[Yokohama F. Marinos]]
| manageryears5 = 2023–
| managerclubs5 = [[Shanghai Port F.C.|Shanghai Port]]
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|AUS}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1997 FIFA Confederations Cup|1997 Saudi Arabia]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001 South Korea-Japan]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[OFC Nations Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2000 OFC Nations Cup|2000 Tahiti]]|}}
}}
'''Kevin Vincent Muscat''' (born 7 August 1973) is an Australian former [[association football]] player and he is the currently head coach of [[Chinese Super League]] club [[Shanghai Port F.C.|Shanghai Port]]. As a player, he played as a [[Defender (association football)|defender]], and represented the [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia national team]] at international level winning 46 caps and scoring 10 goals between 1994 and 2006.

After beginning his professional career in the [[Australian National Soccer League]] with [[Sunshine George Cross FC|Sunshine George Cross]] in 1989, Muscat played eight seasons in the United Kingdom with [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], [[Wolverhampton Wanderers]], [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] and [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]. He returned to Australia in 2005 for the first time since leaving South Melbourne in 1996 to captain Melbourne Victory in the [[2005–06 A-League|inaugural season of the A-league]]. His playing style was brutal defence with little regard for accumulating yellow cards or avoiding injury to opponents, a reputation that was so strong that while at Rangers he was never picked for an [[Old Firm]] derby due to the perceived risk that his explosive temper causing a major incident or costing Rangers the match by being sent off. He ended his A-League career in disgrace after deliberately injuring [[Adrian Zahra]] with a disgraceful tackle that was widely describe as an assault by the football media.

Muscat retired from professional football in March 2011 after Melbourne Victory's [[2011 AFC Champions League]] campaign, citing his growing frustration at his inability to keep pace with the game.<ref>{{cite web|work=Soccerway|date=16 February 2011|access-date=16 August 2011|title=Muscat calls time on 20-year career|url=https://int.soccerway.com/news/2011/February/16/muscat-calls-time-on-20-year-career/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Herald Sun|date=16 February 2011|access-date=16 August 2011|title=Tears flow as Melbourne Victory captain Kevin Muscat retires|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/kevin-muscat-expected-to-announce-he-is-retiring/story-e6frfg8x-1226006256419}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mehmet Durakovic is named Melbourne Victory's new coach|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/mehmet-durakovic-to-be-named-melbourne-victorys-new-coach/story-e6frep5o-1226078808073|access-date=21 June 2011|newspaper=The Courier-Mail|publisher=News Limited|date=21 June 2011}}</ref> Muscat briefly rejoined his former club Sunshine George Cross for part of the 2011 Victorian State League Division 1 season.<ref name=leader>{{cite news|work=Maribyrnong Leader|publisher=News Limited|date=1 July 2011|access-date=16 August 2011|title=Ex-Socceroo and Melbourne Victory star Kevin Muscat signs with Sunshine club|url=http://maribyrnong-leader.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/ex-socceroo-and-melbourne-victory-star-kevin-muscat-signs-with-sunshine-club/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806073053/http://maribyrnong-leader.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/ex-socceroo-and-melbourne-victory-star-kevin-muscat-signs-with-sunshine-club/|archive-date=6 August 2011}}</ref>

During his international career, Muscat represented the [[Australia national under-20 football team|Australia U-20]] side at the [[1991 FIFA World Youth Championship]] in [[Portugal]] and the [[1993 FIFA World Youth Championship]] in Australia. He represented the [[Australia men's national under-23 soccer team|Australia U-23]] side at the [[Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Summer Olympics]]. After making his full international debut for Australia in September 1994 against [[Kuwait national football team|Kuwait]], Muscat represented the national side at the [[1997 FIFA Confederations Cup]], [[2000 OFC Nations Cup]], [[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup]] and the [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup]].

After several seasons as an assistant coach, Muscat was appointed head coach at Melbourne Victory in October 2013. He has coached Victory to the [[2014–15 A-League|2014–15 A-League Premiership]], the [[2014–15 A-League|2014–15 A-League Championship]] and success in the [[2015 FFA Cup]]. He left the role in 2019.

Muscat is Melbourne Victory's all time top scoring defender, with 35 goals in all competitions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Melbourne Victory |url=https://aleaguestats.com/A-League%20(Men)_6MelbourneVictory.html |publisher=ALeagueStats |access-date=9 November 2024}}</ref>

==Club career==

=== Early life ===
Born in [[Crawley]], [[West Sussex]], in England from [[Malta|Maltese]] descent,<ref name="Hugman2005-06 291" /> Muscat began his career as a junior at [[Australian National Soccer League]] (NSL) club [[Sunshine Georgies|Sunshine George Cross]], making his first senior appearances for the club in the 1989–90 season at 16 years old.<ref name="allclubs">{{cite web|url=http://nationalfootballteams.com/v2/player.php?id=443|title=Kevin Muscat|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=2 September 2009|archive-date=26 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226112826/http://nationalfootballteams.com/v2/player.php?id=443|url-status=dead}}</ref> He moved from Sunshine to the [[Australian Institute of Sport]] in 1990 and was awarded the Weinstein Medal as the [[Victoria, Australia|Victorian]] Junior Player of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/JnrPOY.html|title=Weinstein Medal|work=OzFootball|access-date=2 September 2009}}</ref>

=== South Melbourne FC ===
He continued playing in the NSL for [[Heidelberg United]] in the 1991–92 season before earning a move to Australian powerhouse [[South Melbourne Hellas]].<ref name="allclubs" /> Mostly deployed as a left-back, Muscat's aggressiveness and defensive awareness made him a standout performer in the league which attracted international attention. During his time at South, he was called up to the Olyroos.

In 1995–96 he trialled at [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] under manager [[Dave Bassett]] but decided to stay at South Melbourne.<ref name="indep">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/muscat-aims-to-collect-honour-at-the-palace-1263544.html|title= Muscat aims to collect honour at the Palace |date=26 May 1997|work=The Independent|access-date=2 September 2009 | location=London | first=Clive | last=White}}</ref> After further impressive performances with South Melbourne and the Olyroos, he attracted the interest of many overseas clubs. His performances for South culminated in a senior international call-up by Eddie Thompson for the Australian National Team. By August 1996 Bassett had taken the helm at [[Crystal Palace Football Club|Crystal Palace]] and signed Muscat for the south London club<ref name="indep" /> for £35,000 from South Melbourne Hellas.<ref name="hero">{{cite web|url=http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=42361|title=Kevin Muscat|publisher=football-heroes.net|access-date=2 September 2009}}</ref> In his departure Muscat thanked the South Melbourne fans for their support towards him.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Melbourne vs Sydney United, round 6, 1995-1996.pdf |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-GeBc7j6xA6MjRkcWFHMUl2MTQ/view?resourcekey=0-3X_qIqNPZvbK54BC8B3k9g&usp=embed_facebook |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=Google Docs}}</ref>

=== Crystal Palace ===
Muscat was part of the Palace team that subsequently won promotion to the English [[Premier League]], defeating Sheffield United in the 1997 play-off final at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=303994|title=Championship final 1997|publisher=Soccerbase|access-date=2 September 2009|archive-date=2 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602042034/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=303994|url-status=dead}}</ref> Muscat obtained a reputation as a 'hard man' at Palace and was constantly targeted by the media and opposing fans for his style of play. He made nine Premier League appearances for Palace before moving to First Division [[Wolverhampton Wanderers]] for £200,000 in October 1997.<ref name="hero" />

=== Wolverhampton Wanderers ===
Muscat remained at Wolves for five seasons before moving to Scotland to join [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] on a free transfer in July 2002.<ref name="allclubs" />

=== Rangers ===
Muscat was part of the Rangers squad which won a treble of domestic trophies in 2002–03 season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rangers retain CIS Cup|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/2853133.stm|website=The Herald Scotland|date=16 March 2003|access-date=19 March 2024}}<br>{{cite news|title=Rangers win to clinch title|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2932016.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=25 May 2003|access-date=19 March 2024}}<br>{{cite news|title=Rangers crowned SPL champions|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2936822.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=26 May 2003|access-date=19 March 2024}}<br>{{cite news|title=Rangers complete Treble|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/2946904.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=31 May 2003|access-date=19 March 2024}}</ref> He helped the club's defence kept six consecutive clean sheets in the league between 25 August 2002 and 28 September 2002.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rangers too good for Dons|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2212096.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=25 August 2002|access-date=19 March 2024}}<br>{{cite news|title=Rangers destroy Dunfermline|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2226713.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=1 September 2002|access-date=19 March 2024}}<br>{{cite news|title=Rangers beat Hearts to go top|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2249256.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=11 September 2002|access-date=19 March 2024}}<br>{{cite news|title=Rangers make Livi pay|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2254781.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=13 September 2002|access-date=19 March 2024}}<br>{{cite news|title=Rangers ease Thistle aside|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2270606.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=20 September 2002|access-date=19 March 2024}}<br>{{cite news|title=Rangers stroll to win over Terrors|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2284033.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=28 September 2002|access-date=19 March 2024}}</ref> Muscat would end his career in Scotland having played 22 times for Rangers.

=== Millwall ===
Muscat's final British club was [[Millwall Football Club|Millwall]], for whom he played from 2003 to 2005. In 2004, he captained Millwall to the [[FA Cup Final]] for the first time in their history. He missed the final itself after suffering a knee ligament injury in the semi-final against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]], although the Millwall manager [[Dennis Wise]] insisted on him being presented with a medal.

=== Melbourne Victory ===
[[File:Kevin Muscat.jpg|thumb|right|Muscat with [[Melbourne Victory FC|Melbourne Victory]] in 2010]]
He left Millwall to return to Australia to become Melbourne Victory's inaugural captain in the 2005–06 season. Under Victory manager Ernie Merrick, Muscat, a defender for virtually his entire career, moved to midfield for the 2006–07 season. He remained the captain until 2011.

In February 2011, Muscat announced his intention to retire from club football after the conclusion of the [[2011 Asian Champions League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aleague.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=38961| title=Frustrated Muscat bows out|agency=Sportal|first=Bren|last=O'Brien|work=A-League.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216174314/http://www.aleague.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=38961|archive-date=16 February 2011|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref> His decision to finish was fast-tracked by an infamous tackle he committed in a [[Melbourne Derby (A-League)|Melbourne derby]] on 22 January 2011, which resulted in a season-ending eight-week ban from the A-League.<ref name="confirms">{{cite web|title=Muscat confirms retirement|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/16/3140494.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110628223415/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/16/3140494.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 June 2011|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=16 February 2011}}</ref> Muscat played out his competitive career in the [[2011 AFC Champions League]] under the captaincy of centre-back [[Adrian Leijer]], despite having previously referred to the competition as "not all that enjoyable".<ref>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Tuckerman|work=FourFourTwo|publisher=Haymarket Media|date=20 April 2010|url=http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/thedirtfromdownunder/archive/2010/04/20/muscat-champions-league-you-re-having-a-laugh.aspx|title=Muscat: Champions League? You're having a laugh!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218061816/http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/thedirtfromdownunder/archive/2010/04/20/muscat-champions-league-you-re-having-a-laugh.aspx|archive-date=18 December 2011}}</ref> Muscat regained the captaincy for his farewell match in [[Melbourne]], a 1–1 draw against [[J-League]] side [[Gamba Osaka]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/asian-champions-league/kevin-muscat-farewells-melbourne-victory-with-a-1-1-draw-against-gamba-osaka-in-asian-champions-league/story-e6frf4kl-1226050080298?from=public_rss|work=Fox Sports|title=Muscat farewelled with ACL draw}}</ref> Muscat scored on his return to Sunshine George Cross in a 3–1 loss to [[Altona Magic]] in August 2011.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Football Federation Victoria|title=Match details – Sunshine George Cross v Altona Magic|date=7 August 2011|url=http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?matchID=599923&entityID=7250}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==International career==
Muscat represented Australia at Under-20 level at the [[World Youth Cup]] finals in Portugal in 1991 and Australia in 1993,<ref name="FIFA">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=154063/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501163211/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=154063/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 May 2008|title=Kevin Muscat Australia|publisher=FIFA|access-date=2 September 2009}}</ref> and at Under-23 level at the [[Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Atlanta Olympic Games]]. He made his full international debut in September 1994 against [[Kuwait national football team|Kuwait]], and went on to make 51 appearances for the [[Australia men's national soccer team|national team]],<ref name=ozfootballstats>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/M/MR.html|title=Australian Player Database – Muscat, Kevin Vincent|work=OzFootball|access-date=16 April 2010}}</ref> including [[Confederations Cup]] tournaments in 1997, 2001 and 2005.<ref name="FIFA"/> Muscat [[List of Australian national association football team captains|captained the national team]] five times from April 2001 and scored a critical penalty in the 1–0 home leg of Australia's unsuccessful play-off against Uruguay for a place in the finals of the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]].

Muscat was dropped from the squad when coach [[Guus Hiddink]] took over in 2005 and played no part in Australia's subsequent qualification for the 2006 World Cup, but was recalled later in 2006 by [[Graham Arnold]] and captained Australia in its 2–0 [[Asian Cup]] qualifier against Kuwait.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Socceroo/2005A.html|title=Socceroo 2005 matches|work=OzFootball|access-date=16 April 2010}}</ref> In 2008, newly appointed coach [[Pim Verbeek]] selected Muscat in a squad of 22 [[A-League]] based players to prepare for [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] qualifiers, but he did not play in any subsequent fixtures.

==Reputation==
[[File:Melbourne Victory Kevin Muscat.jpg|thumb|right|Muscat in 2007 next to the A-League 2006/07 championship trophy]]

In 1996, Muscat was sent off in his first season in the UK in a match involving [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] and [[Norwich City]] after body checking Norwich player [[Darren Eadie]] which then sparked a 21-man melee where punches were thrown. Two other players were also sent off in the incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CANARY+SPARKLERS%3B+Norwich+1+Crystal+Palace+1.-a061153449|title=Canary Sparklers|work=Sunday People|date=15 December 1996|via=The Free Online Library|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

Muscat was branded a "lowlife" and a "nobody" by ex-England striker [[Ian Wright]], then of [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]], in September 1999. Wright claimed he was about to shoot when he heard [[Dougie Freedman]], Forest's other striker, shout "leave it". Wright stepped over the ball to allow Freedman to hit it, but instead Muscat (who had, according to Wright, merely impersonated Freedman) appeared to clear the ball.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wright-continues-muscat-dispute-1121096.html|title=Wright continues Muscat dispute |date=22 September 1999|access-date=27 March 2009 | location=London | first=John | last=Cotton}}</ref>

Muscat was dubbed the "most hated man in football" by then [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] player [[Martin Grainger]] in 2000 after a reckless tackle against international teammate, [[Stan Lazaridis]].<ref name=BBC>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/1651609.stm|title=Muscat accused again|date=12 November 2001|work=BBC Sport|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2 September 2009}}</ref> He seriously injured both [[Craig Bellamy]] and [[Christophe Dugarry]], the latter in a friendly international between Australia and [[France national football team|France]] in 2001 with a sliding tackle from behind.<ref name=BBC/> The French manager [[Roger Lemerre]] dubbed the tackle "an act of brutality".<ref name=BBC/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Soccernet|date=11 November 2001|url=http://www.soccernet.com/global/news/2001/1111/20011111lemerre.html|title=Lemerre condemns Muscat tackle as 'act of brutality'}}</ref> It was speculated that Muscat's temperament was the reason he was never selected for inclusion in an [[Old Firm]] derby during his time at Rangers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Muscat sweats on Old Firm Fate|work=The Times|date=20 April 2003|access-date=27 March 2009|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article861887.ece | location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In March 2002, Muscat was sent off after nine minutes in a match against [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] for elbowing Grimsby striker [[Michael Boulding]]. [[Wolverhampton Wanderers|Wolves]] lost the match and Muscat was suspended for three matches following the incident.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1872852.stm|work=BBC Sport|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=16 March 2002|title=Wolves 0–1 Grimsby|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

In 2003, after only three weeks since signing for Millwall, Muscat was fined and reprimanded by Millwall after a match against [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] where he gave away a penalty and was sent off for stamping on [[Watford F.C.|Watford]]'s [[Danny Webber]]. Millwall chief executive, Ken Brown, formally warned Muscat that he would be sacked if he did not "clean up his act." "Kevin's actions were totally unacceptable. We have made him aware that such behavior will not be tolerated. Any repeat of such a deliberate, unprovoked, off-the-ball incident will result in his instant dismissal."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11735/2276900/muscat-on-final-warning |title=Muscat on final warning |last=Buckingham |first=Mark|work=Sky Sports |access-date=17 September 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/21/1064082865973.html |title=Wild Rover strikes back after jibes |date=22 September 2003 |work=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

In 2004, a lawsuit on Muscat brought by former [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|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.<ref>{{cite news|work=BBC Sport|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=23 February 2004|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3514673.stm|title=Holmes awarded £250,000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|agency=AAP|location=Melbourne|date=24 February 2004|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/24/1077594810270.html?from=storyrhs|title=Socceroo's $606,000 payout}}</ref> In a [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] tie while at Millwall, he grabbed the throat of Liverpool striker [[Milan Baroš]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/muscat-is-accused-on-a-night-of-shame-6950899.html|title=Muscat is accused on a night of shame|first=Leo Spall, Evening|last=Standard|date=13 April 2012|website=www.standard.co.uk}}</ref> Also in 2004, [[Iwan Roberts]] admitted he deliberately stamped on Muscat in a match against [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] in revenge for his attempt to injure Craig Bellamy in 1999. Roberts was subsequently fined and suspended by [[The Football Association]] for his comments.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/3677226.stm|title=Roberts to appeal over ban|date=21 September 2004|work=BBC Sport|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=3 September 2009}}</ref>

In March later that year while playing for [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]], Muscat was red carded and suspended for five games following an altercation in the tunnel at half time with [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] goalkeeper [[Paddy Kenny]]. United went on to win the game 2–1 despite having to use an outfield player in goal, and as Millwall players were walking off the pitch, Blades manager Neil Warnock was seen shaking players’ hands while also saying “serves you right for f*cking Muscat, that” – one of which being former Chelsea assistant manager, Jody Morris.<ref>{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Bryce|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/dec/06/match.sport9|title=Warnock calls on video of tunnel bust up|work=The Guardian|date=7 December 2004|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

In December 2005, he was the first A-League player to appear before a [[Football Federation Australia|FFA]] disciplinary hearing and was subsequently suspended for two matches for "violent conduct".<ref>{{cite news|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|agency=[[Australian Associated Press|AAP]]|location=Melbourne|title=Muscat gets three-game suspension|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccer/muscat-gets-threegame-suspension/2005/12/12/1134236003687.html|date=13 December 2005|access-date=27 March 2009}}</ref> At an A-league game in October 2006 Muscat clashed with then [[Adelaide United]] coach [[John Kosmina]], knocking Kosmina from his chair while retrieving the ball. Kosmina responded by grabbing Muscat by the throat, an action for which Kosmina was suspended for four matches.<ref>{{cite news|first=Michael|last=Lynch|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/kosmina-grabs-a-throat-as-well-as-points/2006/10/15/1160850815096.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1|title=Kosmina grabs a throat as well as points|date=16 October 2006|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=3 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/kosmina-handed-fourgame-ban/2006/10/18/1160850994849.html|title=Kosmina handed four-game ban|date=18 October 2006|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=3 September 2009}}</ref>

Muscat's dominant personality and aggressive style did win some admirers in the [[A-League]], with former England international [[Terry Butcher]] stating ''"Every manager in the A-League would love to have Kevin, and I'm no exception".''<ref>{{cite news|first=Michael|last=Cockerill|author-link=Mike Cockerill|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|date=5 December 2006|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/why-butcher-likes-muscat/2006/12/05/1165080944142.html|title=Why Butcher likes Muscat|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

In February 2009, Muscat "escaped" further sanction by the [[Football Federation Australia|FFA]] for stamping on [[Adelaide United]] defender, [[Daniel Mullen]], while challenging for the ball. Due to the referee seeing the incident during the match, as according to A-League protocol, the Match Review Panel had no authority to intervene any further.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/96515,muscat-escapes-over-stomping.aspx?r=rss|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701132053/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/96515,muscat-escapes-over-stomping.aspx?r=rss|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 July 2012|title=Muscat Escapes Over 'Stomping'|work=Australian FourFourTwo|publisher=Haymarket Media|date=16 February 2009|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

In January 2010, Muscat was suspended for two games for elbowing [[Gold Coast United]] midfielder, [[Jason Culina]], in an off the ball incident.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/bleiberg-will-cop-sanction-sweet-165978|title=Bleiberg will cop sanction sweet|work=Australian FourFourTwo|publisher=Haymarket Media|agency=Sportal Australia|date=30 January 2010|access-date=17 September 2017|archive-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917125409/https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/bleiberg-will-cop-sanction-sweet-165978|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In October 2010, [[Manchester United]] winger [[Ashley Young]] recalled he was threatened by Muscat during his first professional match as an 18-year-old. ''"Kevin Muscat said he would break my legs if I went past him,"'' said Young. Their meeting occurred as they were warming up for an encounter between [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] and Millwall back in September 2003, but Muscat was sent off for stamping on Watford's [[Danny Webber]] before Young came on as substitute for Watford.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/3084070.stm|title=Watford 3–1 Millwall|date=13 September 2003|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

In January 2011, Muscat was sent off for elbowing [[Adelaide United]] midfielder [[Adam Hughes (footballer)|Adam Hughes]] in the face while following through on a challenge for the ball.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Muscat off as Victory thumped |last=Howcroft |first=Jonathan |date=10 January 2011 |work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|quote=If clawing back a two-goal deficit wasn't difficult enough, Victory was forced to play the final 25 minutes without Muscat. Just eight minutes after his first caution, he tangled with Hughes and a swinging arm floored the Adelaide midfielder, earning the feisty defender his marching orders.}}</ref>

In his first match back from suspension, Muscat was then suspended for eight matches following a tackle on [[Melbourne Heart]] player [[Adrian Zahra]] in a [[Melbourne Derby (A-League)|Melbourne Derby]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/194389,muscat-remorse-over-tackle.aspx|title=Muscat remorse over tackle|work=Australian FourFourTwo|publisher=Haymarket Media|date=23 January 2011|access-date=17 September 2017|archive-date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127201053/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/194389,muscat-remorse-over-tackle.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Muscat gets 8 game suspension|url=http://www.theage.com.au/sport/a-league/muscat-gets--8-game-suspension-20110127-1a6vn.html|access-date=27 January 2011|newspaper=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|location=Melbourne|date=27 January 2011|first1=Dominic|last1=Bossi}}</ref> The tackle was widely condemned in Australia and around the world, with former Socceroo [[Mark Bosnich]] calling it a "disgrace".<ref>{{cite news|work=Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|date=25 January 2011|title=Kevin Muscat tackle a blight on game|access-date=16 August 2011|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/kevin-muscat-tackle-a-blight-on-game/story-e6freyar-1225993911718}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|date=27 January 2011|title=World awaits Kevin Muscat's penalty|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/world-awaits-kevin-muscats-penalty/story-e6frey4r-1225995032522}}</ref>

In a professional career spanning 19 years from 1992 to 2011, Muscat received 123 yellow cards and 12 red cards.<ref>http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=9541&season_id=134 Soccerbase statistics</ref><ref>http://www.melbournevictory.com.au/default.aspx?s=mvfc_playerprofile_item&pid=258{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} A-League statistics</ref><ref name=ozfootballstats/><ref>[[AFC Champions League]] ACL</ref>

In December 2013, the Spanish football website ''El Gol Digital'' named Muscat as football's dirtiest ever player.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/kevin-muscat-named-footballs-dirtiest-player-20131212-2z8r4.html |first=Dominic|last=Bossi|date=12 December 2013 | location=Melbourne | work=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media| title=Kevin Muscat named football's dirtiest player|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
===Melbourne Victory===
[[File:Melbourne Victory Chairman Anthony Di Pietro with Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat.jpg|thumb|300px|Kevin Muscat alongside Melbourne Victory chairman [[Anthony Di Pietro]] at the [[Melbourne Rectangular Stadium]] in October 2013.]]
For the final two years of his playing career, Muscat served as a playing assistant coach under [[Ernie Merrick]].<ref name=adelaidenow-unveiled>{{cite web|last1=Davutovic|first1=David|title=Melbourne Victory unveil former skipper Kevin Muscat as new coach on two-year deal|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/melbourne-victory-unveil-former-skipper-kevin-muscat-as-new-coach-on-two-year-deal/story-fnk6pqha-1226749884875|work=The Advertiser|publisher=News Corporation|date=31 October 2013|access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Lynch|first1=Michael|date=30 October 2013|title=Kevin Muscat to coach Melbourne Victory|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/kevin-muscat-to-coach-melbourne-victory-20131030-2wh4e.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> Due to a clause in his contract with Melbourne Victory, which made him an assistant coach at Melbourne Victory for the next two years after his retirement,<ref>{{cite news|first=Grantley|last=Bernard|date=15 February 2011|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/kevin-muscat-expected-to-announce-he-is-retiring/story-e6frecj3-1226006702081|work=The Advertiser|publisher=News Limited|title=Melbourne Victory captain Kevin Muscat will retire after Asian Champions League}}</ref> Muscat began serving as an assistant coach at Melbourne Victory shortly after his retirement from football. After [[Mehmet Durakovic]] was sacked after a poor run of results, Muscat was appointed as the caretaker coach of Melbourne Victory until he was succeeded by former [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] and [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] manager [[Jim Magilton]]. In his only game as Victory manager, Melbourne Victory defeated the [[Newcastle Jets FC|Newcastle Jets]] 2–1, with two own goals from defender [[Byun Sung-Hwan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/228166,gve-jets-must-be-more-ruthless.aspx |title=GVE: Jets Must Be More Ruthless |date=8 January 2011 |work=Australian FourFourTwo |publisher=Haymarket Media|access-date=9 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111055346/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/228166%2Cgve-jets-must-be-more-ruthless.aspx |archive-date=11 January 2012 }}</ref>

After an underwhelming tenure as Melbourne Victory manager, in which he recorded just two wins in 12 matches, Magilton left the Victory at the conclusion of the [[2011–12 A-League]]<ref>{{cite news|first=David|last=Davutovic|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/interim-coach-jim-magilton-departs-from-melbourne-victory/story-e6frfg8x-1226315776836|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Limited|title=Interim coach Jim Magilton departs from Melbourne Victory|date=1 April 2012|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref> with [[Brisbane Roar FC|Brisbane Roar]] manager [[Ange Postecoglou]] taking the reins at Victory for the beginning of the [[2012–13 A-League|2012–13 A-League season]], signing a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Postecoglou-confirmed-as-Victory-coach/47061 |date=26 April 2012|title=Postecoglou confirmed as Victory coach|publisher=Football Federation Australia|agency=Sportal |access-date=28 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029222224/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Postecoglou-confirmed-as-Victory-coach/47061 |archive-date=29 October 2013 }}</ref> After a relatively successful first season in charge of the Victory, in which the Victory finished 3rd on the A-League ladder, and made it to the semi-finals of the A-League finals, Postecoglou was appointed the new manager of [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-23/ange-postecoglou-to-coach-socceroos/5040996|title=Ange Postecoglou unveiled as Socceroos coach, wants to restore pride to national side|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=24 October 2013|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref> with Postecoglou departing the Victory after their Round 3 win against Postecoglou's former club, [[Brisbane Roar FC|Brisbane Roar]]. Having served under four managers since his appointment as assistant coach,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kevin Muscat appointed as new Melbourne Victory coach|date=31 October 2013|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/31/kevin-muscat-new-melbourne-victory-coach|work=The Guardian|agency=AAP|access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> Muscat was subsequently appointed as Postecoglou's successor on 31 October 2013, three games into the 2013–14 season, on a two-year contract.<ref name="adelaidenow-unveiled"/><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/kevin-muscat-confirmed-as-melbourne-victory-coach-in-twoyear-deal-20131031-2wiwy.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | first=Michael |last=Lynch|date=31 October 2013|title=Kevin Muscat confirmed as Melbourne Victory coach in two-year deal|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-31/kevin-muscat-named-melbourne-victory-coach/5060128|title=Kevin Muscat named Melbourne Victory coach replacing new Socceroos mentor Ange Postecoglou|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=31 October 2013|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/kevin-muscat-appointed-victory-coach/77696|title=Kevin Muscat appointed Victory coach|publisher=Football Federation Australia|date=31 October 2013|access-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104042141/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/kevin-muscat-appointed-victory-coach/77696|archive-date=4 November 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Muscat 2015 FFA Cup Victory Adelaide.jpg|thumb|right|Kevin Muscat coaching Melbourne Victory against Adelaide United in the FFA Cup, September 2015]]

In his first full season as Melbourne Victory manager, and just his second year in charge of the club, Muscat guided Melbourne Victory to an A-League premiership-championship double in 2015, the Victory's third A-League premiership/championship double. Under Muscat, the Victory finished with a regular season record of 15 wins 8 draws and 4 losses, with a final points tally of 53 points, three points ahead of second placed [[Sydney FC]] and a final goal difference of +25, the highest of any club that season. Muscat guided the Victory to a 3–0 win over [[Melbourne City FC|Melbourne City]] in the semi-finals, before recording a 3–0 win over Sydney FC at [[Melbourne Rectangular Stadium|AAMI Park]].

In June 2017, Muscat, along with [[Darren Davies (Welsh footballer)|Darren Davies]] and [[Ross Aloisi]], were called up by Ange Postecoglou to serve as members of Australia's coaching staff for the [[2017 FIFA Confederations Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kevin Muscat, Ross Aloisi, Darren Davies Socceroos' coaching staff|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/kevin-muscat-ross-aloisi-darren-davies-socceroos-coaching-staff-20170601-gwi5k0.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=June 2017 |publisher=Fairfax Media|agency=[[Australian Associated Press|AAP]]|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Davutovic|first1=David|title=Victory coach Kevin Muscat and Roar assistant Ross Aloisi join Socceroos coaching staff for Confederations Cup|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/victory-coach-kevin-muscat-and-roar-assistant-ross-aloisi-join-socceroos-coaching-staff-for-confederations-cup/news-story/f02084c7c69e5e8df5b891e4fed80592|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corporation|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

===Sint-Truidense===
On 5 June 2020 Muscat was announced as the manager for [[Belgian First Division A]] team [[Sint-Truidense V.V.]], however just six months later he was sacked due to poor results.<ref>{{cite news |title=STVV ontslaat coach Muscat, Hollerbach in poleposition als opvolger|trans-title=STVV sacks manager Muscat, Hollerbach in poleposition as replacement|url=https://sporza.be/artikels/stvv-ontslaat-coach-muscat-hollerbach-in-poleposition-als-opvolger~1606855158462/|publisher=sporza.be|date=2020-12-01|language=nl}}</ref>

===Yokohama F. Marinos===
Muscat was appointed manager of [[Yokohama F. Marinos]] in July 2021, succeeding Ange Postecoglou as he had at Melbourne Victory, and won the J1 League title in 2022.<ref>[https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/kevin-muscat-appointed-manager-yokohama-f-marinos Kevin Muscat appointed manager of Yokohama F. Marinos] Chris Curulli, [[Football Australia]] (19 July 2021)</ref>

=== Shanghai Port ===
On 17 December 2023 Muscat was appointed manager of [[Shanghai Port F.C.|Shanghai Port]] following the departure of [[Javier Pereira (footballer)|Javier Pereira]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 December 2023 |title=官方：澳大利亚籍教练穆斯卡特出任海港主帅 (Official: The Australian coach Muscat has been appointed the head coach of Shanghai Port) |url=https://www.titan24.com/publish/app/data/2023/12/17/500126/os_news.html |access-date=17 December 2023 |website=Titan Sports}}</ref> Under his management, Shanghai Port won the [[2024 Chinese Super League]] season by finishing ahead of their inter-city rivals [[Shanghai Shenhua F.C.|Shanghai Shenhua]] by a slim point,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/kevin-muscat-wins-title-third-34021072 | title=Kevin Muscat wins title in third different country | date=2 November 2024 }}</ref> as well as winning the [[2024 Chinese FA Cup]].

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/MUI.html|title=Kevin Muscat|website=OzFootball.net|access-date=17 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aleaguestats.com/A-League_25Players_113.html|website=ALeagueStats.com|access-date=17 May 2023|title=Kevin Muscat}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=9541|website=Soccerbase.com|title=Kevin Muscat|access-date=17 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[FA Cup]], [[Scottish FA Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[NSL Cup]], [[Football League Cup]], [[Scottish League Cup]], [[A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|[[Caroline Springs George Cross FC|Sunshine George Cross]]
|[[1989–90 National Soccer League|1989–90]]
|[[National Soccer League]]
|9||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||9||0
|-
|[[Heidelberg United FC|Heidelberg United]]
|[[1991–92 National Soccer League|1991–92]]
|National Soccer League
|19||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||19||0
|-
|rowspan=5|[[South Melbourne FC|South Melbourne]]
|[[1992–93 National Soccer League|1992–93]]
|National Soccer League
|17||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||17||0
|-
|[[1993–94 National Soccer League|1993–94]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9394/ncup9394.html|title=1993/94 National League Cup Results|first=Greg|last=Stock|access-date=17 May 2023|website=OzFootball.net}}</ref>
|National Soccer League
|24||2||colspan=2|—||3||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||27||2
|-
|[[1994–95 National Soccer League|1994–95]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9495/ncup9495.html|website=OzFootball.net|access-date=17 May 2023|first=Greg|last=Stock|title=1994/95 Johnny Walker Cup Results}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1994–95 Season Playoff Matches |url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/9495/Playoff.html |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=www.ozfootball.net}}</ref>
|National Soccer League
|17||0|| colspan="2" |—||4||0||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|Appearances in National Soccer League finals series}}
|3||24||3
|-
|[[1995–96 National Soccer League|1995–96]]
|National Soccer League
|12||1||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||12||1
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!70!!3!!0!!0!!7!!0!!colspan=2|—!!3
!3!!80!!6
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
|[[1996–97 Crystal Palace F.C. season|1996–97]]
|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]
|44||2||2||0||3||1||colspan=2|—||2{{efn|Appearances in [[Football League First Division play-offs]]|name=FPO}}||0||51||3
|-
|[[1997–98 Crystal Palace F.C. season|1997–98]]
|[[Premier League]]
|9||0||0||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||10||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!53!!2!!2!!0!!4!!1!!colspan=2|—!!2!!0!!61!!3
|-
|rowspan=6|[[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]
|[[1997–98 Crystal Palace F.C. season|1997–98]]
|First Division
|24||3||5||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||29||3
|-
|[[1998–99 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season|1998–99]]
|First Division
|37||4||2||0||4||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||43||4
|-
|[[1999–2000 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season|1999–2000]]
|First Division
|45||4||2||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||49||4
|-
|[[2000–01 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season|2000–01]]
|First Division
|37||3||1||0||4||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||42||4
|-
|[[2001–02 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season|2001–02]]
|First Division
|37||0||1||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||38||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!180!!14!!11!!0!!10!!1!!colspan=2|—!!0!!0!!201!!15
|-
|[[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]
|[[2002–03 Rangers F.C. season|2002–03]]
|[[Scottish Premier League]]
|22||0||4||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||0||colspan=2|—||29||0
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]
|[[2003–04 Millwall F.C. season|2003–04]]
|First Division
|27||0||6||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||33||0
|-
|[[2004–05 Millwall F.C. season|2004–05]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|26||0||0||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan=2|—||29||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!53!!0!!6!!0!!1!!0!!2!!0!!colspan=2|—!!62!!0
|-
|rowspan=7|[[Melbourne Victory FC|Melbourne Victory]]
|[[2005–06 Melbourne Victory FC season|2005–06]]
|[[A-League]]
|17||6||colspan=2|—||3||0||colspan=2|—|| colspan="2" |—||20||6
|-
|[[2006–07 Melbourne Victory FC season|2006–07]]
|A-League
|17||7||colspan=2|—||5||1||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|name=ALF|Appearances in [[A-League Men finals series|A-League finals series]]}}
|0||25||8
|-
|[[2007–08 Melbourne Victory FC season|2007–08]]
|A-League
|17||4||colspan=2|—||5||0||6{{efn|name=ACL}}||2||colspan=2|—||28||6
|-
|[[2008–09 Melbourne Victory FC season|2008–09]]
|A-League
|21||5||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|name=ALF}}
|0||24||5
|-
|[[2009–10 Melbourne Victory FC season|2009–10]]
|A-League
|20||4||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||4{{efn|name=ACL|Appearances in [[AFC Champions League]]}}||1||3{{efn|name=ALF}}
|0||27||5
|-
|[[2010–11 Melbourne Victory FC season|2010–11]]
|A-League
|21||2||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||6{{efn|name=ACL}}||3||0
|0||27||5
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!113!!28!!0!!0!!13!!1!!16!!6!!9
!0!!151!!35
|-
|[[Caroline Springs George Cross FC|Sunshine George Cross]]
|2011<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2011SD1R.html|website=OzFootball.net|first=John|last=Punshon|access-date=17 May 2023|title=2011 Victorian Men's State League Division 1 Results}}</ref>
|[[Victorian State League 1|Victorian State League]]
|3||1|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||3||1
|-
!colspan=3|Total
!522!!48!!23!!0!!36!!3!!20!!6!!14!!3!!615!!60
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===

'''International appearances'''
<ref name=NFT>{{NFT|429|name=Kevin Muscat|accessdate=27 January 2011}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|colspan="3"|[[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]]
|-
!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|1994||1||0
|-
|1995||1||0
|-
|1996||5||0
|-
|1997||6||1
|-
|1998||1||0
|-
|1999||0||0
|-
|2000||10||4
|-
|2001||13||5
|-
|2002||0||0
|-
|2003||2||0
|-
|2004||3||0
|-
|2005||3||0
|-
|2006||1||0
|-
!Total||46||10
|}

'''International goals'''
<ref name=NFT/>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
|-
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1 || 2 April 1997 || [[Ferenc Puskás Stadium|Népstadion]], [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]] || {{fb|HUN}} || align=center|'''3'''–1 || align=center|3–1 || Friendly
|-
| 2 || rowspan=2|19 June 2000 || rowspan=4|[[Stade Pater Te Hono Nui|Stade Pater]], [[Papeete]], [[Tahiti]] || rowspan=2|{{fb|COK}} || align=center|'''2'''–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"|17–0 || rowspan=4|[[2000 OFC Nations Cup]]
|-
| 3 || align=center|'''7'''–0
|-
| 4 || 23 June 2000 || {{fb|SOL}} || align=center|'''5'''–0 || align=center|6–0 
|-
| 5 || 25 June 2000 || {{fb|VAN}} || align=center|'''1'''–0 || align=center|1–0 
|-
| 6 || rowspan=4|9 April 2001 || rowspan=4|[[Coffs Harbour International Stadium]], [[Coffs Harbour]], [[Australia]] || rowspan=4|{{fb|Tonga}} || align=center|'''4'''–0 || align="center" rowspan="4"|[[Tonga 0–22 Australia|22–0]] || rowspan=4|[[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| 7 || align=center|'''7'''–0
|-
| 8 || align=center|'''12'''–0
|-
| 9 || align=center|'''19'''–0
|-
| 10 || 20 November 2001 || [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]], [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]] || {{fb|URU}} || align=center|'''1'''–0 || align=center|1–0 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|}

===Managerial===
{{updated|match played 14 June 2025}} <ref>{{cite web|title=Kevin Muscat|url=http://aleaguestats.com/ALeagueStats_41_32CoachingHistory.html|publisher=ALeague Stats|access-date=12 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kevin Muscat|url=https://www.sofascore.com/manager/kevin-muscat/24699|publisher=Sofascore|access-date=22 July 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Nat
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="5"|Record
|-
!G!!W!!D!!L!!Win %
|-
|align=left|[[Melbourne Victory F.C.|Melbourne Victory]] (caretaker)
|{{flagicon|Australia}}
|align=left|5 January 2012
|align=left|7 January 2012
{{WDL|1|1|0|0}}
|-
|align=left|[[Melbourne Victory F.C.|Melbourne Victory]]
|{{flagicon|Australia}}
|align=left|31 October 2013
|align=left|20 May 2019
{{WDL|214|105|45|64}}
|-
|align=left|[[Sint-Truidense V.V.|Sint-Truiden]]
|{{flagicon|Belgium}}
|align=left|5 June 2020
|align=left|2 December 2020
{{WDL|15|2|5|8}}
|-
|align=left|[[Yokohama F. Marinos]]
|{{flagicon|Japan}}
|align=left|18 July 2021
|align=left|13 December 2023
{{WDL|116|67|19|30}}
|-
|align=left|[[Shanghai Port F.C.|Shanghai Port]]
|{{flagicon|China}}
|align=left|17 December 2023
|align=left|''Present''
{{WDL|60|40|8|12}}
|-
!colspan="4"|Total
{{WDLtot|406|215|77|114}}
|}

==Honours==

===Player===
'''South Melbourne FC'''
*[[National Soccer League]] Premiers: [[1992–93 National Soccer League|1992–93]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=South Melbourne Football Club Honours|url=https://www.smfc.com.au/club-honours|access-date=2021-09-19|language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[NSL Cup]]: [[1995–96 NSL Cup|1995–96]]
*[[Dockerty Cup]]: 1993, 1995

'''Crystal Palace'''
*[[Football League First Division play-offs]]: [[1997 Football League First Division play-off Final|1997]]

'''Rangers'''
*[[Scottish Premier League]]: [[2002–03 Scottish Premier League|2002–03]]
*[[Scottish Cup]]: [[2002–03 Scottish Cup|2002–03]]
*[[Scottish League Cup]]: [[2002–03 Scottish League Cup|2002–03]]

'''Millwall'''
*[[FA Cup]] runner-up: [[2003–04 FA Cup|2003–04]]

'''Melbourne Victory'''
*[[List of A-League champions|A-League Championship]]: [[2006–07 A-League|2006–07]], [[2008–09 A-League|2008–09]]
*A-League Premiership: 2006–07, 2008–09
*[[A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup]]: [[2008–09 A-League|2008–09]]

'''Australia'''
*[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]: runner-up, [[1997 FIFA Confederations Cup|1997]];<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round=1984/match=17489/index.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=October 14, 2024 |archive-date=June 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618001151/https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/round%3D1984/match%3D17489/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> 3rd place, [[2001 FIFA Confederations Cup|2001]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/koreajapan2001/teams/team=43976/index.html  |title=Archived copy |access-date=October 14, 2024 |archive-date=January 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122105959/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/koreajapan2001/teams/team=43976/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[OFC Nations Cup]]: [[2000 OFC Nations Cup|2000]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/00oc.html|title=Oceania Nations Cup 2004|access-date=October 14, 2024}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*[[Football Federation Victoria|FFV]] Weinstein Medal: 1990
*NSL Young Player of the Year: 1993
*[[National Soccer League|NSL]] Papasavas Medal (U-21): 1991–92
*[[Melbourne Victory]] Medal: [[2005–06 Melbourne Victory FC season|2005–06]], [[2006–07 Melbourne Victory FC season|2006–07]], [[2008–09 Melbourne Victory FC season|2008–09]]
*A-League PFA Team of the Season: [[2008–09 A-League|2008–09]], [[2009–10 A-League|2009–10]]
*[[PFA Footballer of the Year Awards|PFA A-League Team of the Decade (2005–15)]]

===Manager===
'''Melbourne Victory'''
* [[List of A-League champions|A-League Championship]]: [[2014–15 A-League|2014–15]], [[2017–18 A-League|2017–18]]
* [[List of A-League champions|A-League Premiership]]: [[2014–15 A-League|2014–15]]
* [[2015 FFA Cup|FFA Cup: 2015]]

'''Yokohama F. Marinos'''
*[[J1 League]]: [[2022 J1 League|2022]]
*[[J1 League]] Runner-up: [[2021 J1 League|2021]], [[2023 J1 League|2023]]
*[[Japanese Super Cup]]: [[2023 Japanese Super Cup|2023]]

'''Shanghai Port F.C.'''
*[[Chinese Super League]]: [[2024 Chinese Super League|2024]]
*[[Chinese FA Cup]]: [[2024 Chinese FA Cup|2024]]
*[[Chinese Super Cup]] Runner-up: [[2025 Chinese FA Super Cup|2025]]

'''Individual'''
* [[List of A-League honours|A-League Coach of the Year]]: [[2014–15 A-League|2014–15]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120502155812/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/melbournevictory/coaches/Kevin-Muscat/42 Melbourne Victory profile]
* [http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/M/MR.html OzFootball profile]
* {{Soccerbase}}

{{Shanghai Port F.C. squad}}
{{Chinese Super League managers}}
{{navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|list1=
{{NSL awards}}
{{2008–09 A-League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2009–10 A-League Team of the Season}}
{{PFA A-League Team of the Decade (2005–2015)}}
{{A-League Coach of the Year}}
{{Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Melbourne Victory FC player of the Year}}
{{J.League winning managers}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Australia squads
|bg = #FFE605
|fg = #005800
|list1 =
{{Australia men's football squad 1996 Summer Olympics}}
{{Australia squad 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Australia squad 2000 OFC Nations Cup}}
{{Australia squad 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Australia squad 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list =
{{Melbourne Victory FC managers}}
{{Sint-Truidense V.V. managers}}
{{Yokohama F. Marinos managers}}
{{Shanghai Port F.C. managers}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Muscat, Kevin}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Crawley]]
[[Category:Australian men's soccer players]]
[[Category:Australian soccer managers]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players]]
[[Category:Melbourne Victory FC players]]
[[Category:Millwall F.C. players]]
[[Category:Rangers F.C. players]]
[[Category:South Melbourne FC players]]
[[Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Caroline Springs George Cross FC players]]
[[Category:A-League Men players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Scottish Premier League players]]
[[Category:National Soccer League (Australia) players]]
[[Category:Australian expatriate men's soccer players]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Belgium]]
[[Category:Soccer players from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Scotland]]
[[Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium]]
[[Category:Australia men's international soccer players]]
[[Category:Olympic soccer players for Australia]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 1996 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:1997 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2000 OFC Nations Cup players]]
[[Category:OFC Nations Cup–winning players]]
[[Category:2001 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2005 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:Australian Institute of Sport soccer players]]
[[Category:A-League Men managers]]
[[Category:J1 League managers]]
[[Category:Australian expatriate soccer managers]]
[[Category:Australian people of Maltese descent]]
[[Category:English people of Maltese descent]]
[[Category:English emigrants to Australia]]
[[Category:Melbourne Victory FC managers]]
[[Category:Sint-Truidense V.V. managers]]
[[Category:Yokohama F. Marinos managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Japan]]
[[Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Japan]]
[[Category:Shanghai Port F.C. managers]]