After the sacking of Michael Beale, Rangers had a chance with Australian manager Kevin Muscat, who was one of three candidates under serious consideration by the club’s board following Beale’s dismissal in October 2023. Muscat, who had impressed during his time in Japan with Yokohama F Marinos thanks to his explosive style, garnered significant support at Ibrox. However, the board ultimately opted for Philippe Clement. Now, with Coventry’s Frank Lampard also on the shortlist, the fates of these three have diverged considerably over the past 16 months. Any remaining hope that Muscat might be available if Clement departs from Rangers has all but been extinguished in China.
Muscat, now 51 years old, has been making headlines in China with his attacking approach as the current manager of Shanghai Port. Coming off a remarkable season where he led the club to back-to-back league titles for the first time in their history, he also orchestrated a legendary double by securing the club’s inaugural Chinese Cup victory. These achievements have further added to his impressive trophy cabinet, which now boasts five league titles earned during his managerial stints in Australia, Japan, and China.
The Aussie coach is set to have another opportunity to replicate his previous success this season, as he recently agreed to a contract extension with his Chinese Super League club ahead of the new campaign. This news arrives at a crucial juncture, with Shanghai Port’s Asian Champions League ambitions hinging on a final-day showdown with Yokohama F Marinos and the new CSL season commencing next week.
Meanwhile, the pressure on Rangers manager Philippe Clement has intensified, and former player Craig Moore has revealed that Kevin Muscat was “devastated” after missing out on the Rangers job. In an interview last September, the Australian claimed that Muscat had undergone two interviews with the Rangers hierarchy, only to be passed over in favor of Philippe Clement. Moore told the Daily Record, “He had two interviews at the time and lost out—he was devastated to lose out to Philippe Clement. He thought it was a fantastic opportunity and that it would have been a great job, but now Kevin is doing a great job in China and that ship has completely sailed.” Moore also emphasized Muscat’s credentials, noting that his teams play exciting, attacking football, score goals, and create chances, making him a strong candidate for Rangers if circumstances were different.
Ultimately, the prospect of Muscat joining Rangers is now a thing of the past. His impressive achievements and contract extension with Shanghai Port indicate that he is fully committed to his role in China, leaving little room for any future move to Glasgow. This development highlights not only the shifting landscape of managerial opportunities but also underscores the high level of competition for top coaching positions in football.
