Just before Rangers appointed Philippe Clement, the club’s supporters were largely split between the Belgian and Kevin Muscat.
Rangers took a little bit of time with the appointment of Big Phil and interviewed a range of candidates before whittling things down to a four-man shortlist.
Whilst the final four has never been confirmed, it’s believed to have been Philippe Clement, Kevin Muscat, Frank Lampard and ex-AZ manager Pascal Jansen.
And whilst Clement got the nod – and has just about done enough to retain the support of the Rangers faithful heading into next season – Muscat has been pulling up trees in China.
Now, after switching Yokohama for Shanghai, the Australian, who was also extensively linked with Millwall, is still waiting on his big European break.
Muscat turns heads in Europe
Kevin Muscat has quite the C.V in Asian/Australian football.
The manager impressed during a six year stint with Melbourne Victory before following Ange Postecoglou’s success with Yokohama F Marinos in Japan.
With a brief stint at Belgian side Sint Truiden in between, Muscat won four trophies in Australia and two in Japan, including league titles in both countries.
But it was that link to ex-Celtic boss Postecoglou which perhaps tilted Rangers towards Clement.
There are no guarantees in football and drifting in behind our rivals to source an Australian coach from Japan felt like an unwelcome distraction.
But those circumstances have led the former Ibrox star – Muscat was part of the treble-winning 02/03 team – to China where his brand of aggressive, attacking football is having an impact.
Muscat’s title-chasing team are unbeaten in the Chinese Super League after 13 games this season
Having impressed in his brief spell with Shanghai Port, heads were reportedly turned in the Netherlands.
Did Rangers get manager call correct?
At a time when football managers are in increasingly short supply, Rangers fans will likely count their blessings with Philippe Clement.
Whilst the Belgian’s start has been imperfect, Rangers have to back the ex-Club Brugge and AS Monaco manager heading into next season.
The managerial situations at Chelsea, Leicester, Brighton, Man United, Bayern Munich – the list goes on – shows that there is a dearth of options with the pressure in football management bigger than ever.
It’s clear a little patience goes a long way and for now, Clement has it with Rangers supporters.
Feyenoord are about to lose their manager Arne Slot – a league winner with the club last season – after the Dutchman agreed to follow Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
According to 1908, Feyenoord are now taking their replacement search abroad with Sparta Prague boss Brian Priske – a close friend of Clement’s – one of the names on the list.
The report mentions other targets, with Kevin Muscat linked to Feyenoord back in late April.
Muscat is very much from the school of Postecoglou and Feyenoord fans would look forward to aggressive, athletic, attacking football if the Australian made the switch.
Whilst it’s unclear if Muscat has made the final shortlist, for now the coach looks set to be disappointed amid links to Feyenoord.
Almost a year on from the links to Rangers, the infamous former hothead is still waiting on a return to European football.
Rangers fans naturally will keep an eye on their former defensive midfielder’s progress alongside that of Philippe Clement.
With managerial options in 2024 increasingly thin, as things stand it looks like we made the right choice.
