Kevin Muscat’s ‘amazing’ style of football could soon be enthralling the Ibrox public with the Yokohama F Marinos boss emerging as a leading candidate to replace Mick Beale at Rangers.
Recent seasons have seen many a club attempt to hark back to the glorious past in a desperate attempt to ensure a brighter future. But, make no mistake, Kevin Muscat will not be Rangers’ answer to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Or, for that matter, their very own Frank Lampard.
According to The Telegraph, Muscat – a former Rangers player and an Ibrox cult hero – is one of the leading candidates to replace the sacked Mick Beale.
This, however, would not be an appointment made in sepia-tinged nostalgia. 50-year-old Muscat would return to Glasgow having made quite the name for himself in the dugout, picking up where former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou left off. Guiding Yokohama F Marinos to a J-League title and the Japanese Super Cup, all the while presiding over a style of enticing, detailed, possession-heavy football befitting of a club under the Manchester City umbrella.
Rangers eye Kevin Muscat as Mick Beale replacement
“Marinos has a fighting style that has been established since the time of Mr Postecoglou. (Muscat’s 4-3-3 formation) utilises the strengths of the left and right wingers,” Tomohiro Katanosaka, who has come up against Muscat during his time at Gamba Osaka, tells Footballista.
“It’s amazing how they follow the cycle of taking the ball, speeding up (the tempo), and creating situations where they can push into the enemy’s territory to score goals.
“The tactics are thoroughly practiced, the intensity is high, and the offensive and defensive methods are firmly established. No matter who plays, the style and intensity will be the same. That is the Marinos’ strength.”
Yokohama F Marinos won the J-League title while scoring the most goals and conceding the least in 2022. A second successive domestic crown remains on the cards too. Muscat’s side are currently in the midst of a gruelling title race with just five games of the current season remaining.
Rangers, who have handed the reigns to Steven Davis for the time being, would likely have to wait until the J-League campaign comes to an end in December before bringing Muscat in, though there appears to be an acceptance at Ibrox that waiting for the right man is more important than rushing into hiring the wrong one.
Another title potentially on the way
“If you know how to do things, you will be able to react faster and fight faster. If you know there’s always a player (in a certain position), you can pass the ball without looking. In terms of reflexes like that, I think Marinos are the fastest,” Katanosaka adds.
“I think Muscat was appointed as manager after selecting a manager who could use Manchester City Group’s tactics.”
