Kevin Muscat certainly had his fair share of enemies during his playing days, leading to him being described as “the most hated man in football.” The 52-year-old has emerged as the clear front-runner to replace the recently sacked Russell Martin at Rangers. The decision comes after both Danny Rolle and Steven Gerrard were removed from the running.
Muscat is currently in charge of Chinese club Shanghai Port, who are aiming for their second consecutive league title. Muscat could be in the Rangers dugout for the game against Celtic in early November, with the prestigious award set to be completed by the end of this month. Negotiations at club level are believed to still be ongoing, with a remuneration package yet to be finalized.
Muscat made a promising start to his career in management after a colorful playing career that earned him a controversial reputation. A serious defender, he was known for infuriating opponents with his dirty tactics and combative approach to the game.
While at Wolves, he angered Ian Wright during a game against Nottingham Forest by pretending to be a team-mate and shouting for him to put the ball in a dangerous attacking position.
Wright responded and Muscat brushed the ball away, leaving the England icon furious at the lack of sportsmanship. He then received a second yellow card for a heavy attack on Muscat in the middle of the park.
Later, Wright angrily described his opponent as a “scumbag” in a newspaper column for The Sun, adding: “He’s a nobody. He knows it, I think it, and so do many others.”
“I sleep better and I can look in the mirror every morning, which I can probably do more than certain Wolves players. This guy isn’t even worth mentioning.”
Wright is not the only player to have been furious with Muscat over the years. Another incident occurred when he collided with Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny in the tunnel during a match against Millwall.
Muscat was sent off and handed a five-match ban as the Blades won 2-1. After the final whistle, manager Neil Warnock taunted the Millwall players during the post-match handshake, telling them they would “do what Muscat deserves”.
Former England defender Ashley Young has revealed that Muscat once threatened to “break his leg” before the Millwall v Watford game. By the time Young was brought on as a substitute, Muscat had already been sent off.
Birmingham City defender Martin Grainger was also frustrated by his antics, saying in 2000: “He’s probably the most hated man in football. At the end of the day, what goes around comes around. Someday there’s going to be someone worse to get him.”
Although Muscat was hated by almost everyone as a player, he was popular with Rangers. He spent just one season at Ibrox but enjoyed success, winning the domestic treble ahead of city rivals Celtic.
Many supporters want Muscat to return as the new manager, and it will be interesting to see how he approaches his job now that he is somewhat calmer than when he was active.
