Kevin Muscat

NSL Career: Sunshine, Heidelberg, South Melbourne 101 (6) / 1989/90 - 1995/96

Socceroos Career: 46 (10) A Internationals / 5 (0) B Internationals

Once dubbed the "most hated man in football" by former English defender Martin Grainger, Kevin Muscat was arguably Australia's most notorious footballer, albeit for the wrong reasons. Muscat nevertheless was a highly talented defender who served the Socceroos with distinction, was exceptionally comfortable on the ball, an expert penalty taker and had a winning mentality that would be happily welcomed by any team mate.

Born in England to a father of Maltese heritage, Muscat moved to Australia as a child and started his junior career at Green Gully before joining Sunshine George Cross at the age of 14. The defender came up through the ranks of Sunshine and made his first team debut in the NSL at the age of 16. 

After making nine appearances in his debut season, Muscat earned a scholarship to the AIS Soccer Program where he further developed his footballing abilities before spending the 1991/92 season at Heidelberg. Despite Heidelberg having an inconsistent season, Muscat's time at the AIS proved effective as the young defender read the play exceptionally well in a sweeper role and was named the NSL's U-21 Player of the Year.

Muscat joined South Melbourne for the 1992/93 season as club legend Jim Pyrgolios replaced championship-winning coach Ferenc Puskás. With a host of top defenders including Steve Blair, David Healy, Gary Hasler and Mehmet Duraković - Muscat had to compete for a spot in the side and cemented his place towards the end of the season as South reached the preliminary final.

South's defence remained consistent in the 1993/94 season, conceding an equal club record 20 goals before again missing out on a grand final, losing two-nil in the preliminary final to eventual champions Adelaide City. Muscat's consistent performances for South earned him his full international debut during the 1994/95 season against Kuwait before helping South reach the preliminary final for third season in a row, scoring three goals during the finals series.

At the start of the 1995/96 season, Muscat was set to sign for English First Division side Sheffield United following a successful trial, however, the deal fell through and Muscat returned to South following their NSL Cup Final victory over over Newcastle Breakers and played in 12 of their last 15 games of the season. 

Former Sheffield United manager Dave Bassett took the reigns at Crystal Palace for the 1996/97 season and renewed his interest in Muscat, signing him along with fellow Socceroo Carl Veart. Muscat missed just two games during the 1996/97 First Division season and helped the side win the play-off final against Sheffield United to gain promotion to the Premier League. 

Muscat made nine Premier League appearances for the club before getting a transfer to First Division side Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 1997/98 season. The defender became a key member of the side over four and a half seasons, being named club champion in 1999, before moving to Scottish giants Rangers for the 2002/03 season.

The controversial defender was part of Rangers' treble-winning side before returning to England where he spent two seasons at First Division side Millwall. Playing alongside Australian forward Tim Cahill, Muscat captained the side to their first FA Cup Final, however missed the deciding match due to injury as Millwall lost three-nil to Manchester United.

With the A-League's inaugural season starting in 2005, Muscat returned to Australia and became Melbourne Victory's inaugural captain. In six seasons with Victory, Muscat became a club and league legend - captaining the side to three grand finals (winning two) and was selected as a centre-back in the first PFA A-League Team of the Decade. 

In his final two seasons as a Victory player, Muscat served as an assistant coach and played three matches for former club Sunshine in the Victorian State League Division One following Victory's 2011 AFC Asian Champions League campaign before hanging up his boots at the age of 38.

Muscat eventually replaced Ange Postecoglou as head coach of Victory and became the first person to win the A-League as a player and coach, winning two championships and a FFA Cup before embarking on an overseas coaching career that has seen him coach top division sides in Belgium and Japan.