Kevin Muscat: The story of the "dirtiest ever defender" in soccer history

Kevin Muscat was tagged the world's dirtiest defender

Kevin Muscat: The story of the "dirtiest ever defender" in soccer history

Kolawole Babatunde 16:24 - 24.05.2024

Kevin Muscat is a former Australian soccer player, once tagged as the dirtiest footballer ever for his rough tackles. Now a successful soccer manager, the former defender received 123 yellow cards and 12 red cards during his playing career.

Kevin Muscat Background

Kevin Muscat was a name synonymous with tough tackling and leadership during his playing days but he has grown to be a successful manager. 

Despite being born in England to parents of Maltese descent, Muscat's footballing journey began in Australia. At just 16 years old, he was already making senior appearances for Sunshine George Cross in the National Soccer League (NSL) after starting his youth career there. In 1990, his talent was recognized, and he moved on to the Australian Institute of Sport, even earning the prestigious Weinstein Medal as Victoria's Junior Player of the Year.

Kevin Muscat as a coach

Kevin Muscat Profile

Full name: Kevin Vincent Muscat

Birth date: August 7 1973

Nationality: British, Australian

Place of birth: Crawley, United Kingdom

Age: 50 (as of May 2024)

Profession: Football coach, former player

Current club: Shanghai Port

Height: 5ft 11in

Weight: 76 kg (168 lbs)

Marital status: Married

Spouse: Alex Muscat

Children: James and Olivia

Parents: David and Laura Muscat

Salary: $3.8 million

Net worth: $28 million

Kevin Muscat age

Kevin Muscat was born in England in 1973 to David and Laura Muscat, and is 50 years old at the time of writing this.

Muscat might have been born in Crawley, England but he represented Australia at the international level. 

Kevin Muscat

Who did Kevin Muscat play for?

Kevin Muscat's playing career began in Australia's National Soccer League before venturing to the UK in 1996. He played for eight seasons in the UK and was successful, featuring for clubs like Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Rangers, and Millwall. Muscat was known for his no-nonsense defending and he garnered respect for this. 

Despite being born in England, Muscat proudly represented Australia on the international stage. He made his debut for the Socceroos in 1994 and went on to wear the national team jersey 46 times, even captaining the team on five occasions. His biggest moment came during World Cup qualification, where he famously scored a crucial penalty against Uruguay.

What is Kevin Muscat doing now?

Muscat's playing career saw him establish himself as a leader and a dependable defender and this valuable experience paved the way for a successful transition into management after his retirement in 2012.

Kevin Muscat

His managerial journey began in Australia as an assistant coach at Melbourne Victory, eventually progressing to head coach in 2013. During his six-year tenure there, he built a reputation for being a strong leader and instilled a winning mentality in the team, bringing home several trophies.

Muscat's coaching career has taken him across continents, venturing into Europe before his successful spell in Japan and now, in China.

Where is Kevin Muscat coaching now?

Kevin Muscat is currently the head coach of Shanghai Port, a club in the Chinese Super League. He took on this role in December 2023 after a successful stint with Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos, where he even led them to a J1 League title in 2022. 

Is Kevin Muscat married?

Yes, Kevin Muscat is married to Alex Muscat. However, there is no definite information on how long the couple has been together. They are blessed with two kids; a daughter named Olivia, and a son named James.

Kevin Muscat Tackles

Kevin Muscat's tackles were a hallmark of his game and this put him in the news for the wrong reasons. He was known for his aggressive, no-nonsense defending, often leaving opponents in pain. While effective at winning the ball, his tackles sometimes crossed the line into dangerous territory. He received numerous yellow and red cards throughout his career, and even earned the nickname "The Muscat Roll" for a particularly brutal sliding tackle. 

Kevin Muscat Salary and Contract 2024

According to sources, Muscat signed a lucrative $3.8 million-a-year deal following his move to Chinese champion Shanghai Port in December 2023. 

Kevin Muscat Net Worth 2024

Muscat is estimated to have a net worth of $28 million as of May 2024. The former defender is one of the wealthiest Australian coaches to have managed outside the country. His wealth was built from earnings as a player and his time as a coach.

Kevin Muscat Achievements

Muscat had an impressive career during his playing days and is enjoying managerial success. Here's a breakdown of his achievements in both areas:

Playing Career (1989-2012)

Club Level:

Won the Scottish Premiership with Rangers in 1997

Won the Scottish Cup with Rangers in 1996

Established himself as a respected and consistent defender in various competitive English leagues

International Level:

Represented Australia with 46 caps, captaining the team on five occasions.

Played a pivotal role in Australia's World Cup qualification efforts, including scoring a crucial penalty.

Managerial Career (2013-Present)

Melbourne Victory (2013-2019):

Won the A-League Premiership in 2014-15

Won the A-League Championship in 2014-15

Won the FFA Cup in 2015

Yokohama F. Marinos (2021-2023):

Won the J1 League title in Japan in 2022

Led the team to a second-place finish in the J1 League in 2021 and 2023

Won the Japanese Super Cup in 2023

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