How Australian football hardman Kevin Muscat is still at his intimidating best – halfway around the world in China

Australian footballer Kevin Muscat has built a reputation as a hard worker during his time as a player, but that doesn’t seem to have changed as a head coach.

Footage uploaded on X gave journalists the chance to ask the Shanghai Port manager his thoughts on the 2-2 draw against Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim in the opening match of the AFC Champions League Elite earlier this week.

Muscat, 51, had previously indicated his feelings about walking away with a point, but it was clear that no reporter dared to question him further.

He looked at the assembled media and laughed as the press conference ended abruptly.

On the field, Muscat was a force to be reckoned with.

In 1996 he signed for Crystal Palace, originally from South Melbourne, and in the UK he quickly built a reputation as a defender who doesn’t mince his words.

After helping the Eagles to promotion, Muscat played in the Premier League before moving to First Division side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He played for Wolves until 2002, and his next major club was Scottish giants Rangers, where he won three domestic trophies with Ibrox.

He has built up a fearsome reputation as a tough football player during his active career, and it seems that nothing has changed when it comes to Kevin Muscat, the coach (pictured).

Journalists were given the chance to ask the Shanghai Port boss (left) for his thoughts after a 2-2 draw with Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim in the AFC Champions League this week – and the silence was deafening

On the pitch, Muscat was a force to be reckoned with (pictured, after a fight with Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp while playing for Wolves)

Muscat was once named the dirtiest player ever by a leading Spanish football website (pictured grabbing Liverpool striker Milan Baros by the throat)

Millwall was his next challenge, before moving to Australia to become the first captain of Melbourne Victory in the 2005–06 A-League season.

Muscat made 46 appearances for the Socceroos during his successful career, but his reckless nature earned him a staggering 123 cautions and 12 red cards when he pulled on his boots.

It would have been a badge of honour for Muscat that in 2013 Spanish football website El Gol Digital named him the dirtiest player ever.

He was once sued by former Charlton Athletic midfielder Matty Holmes, who underwent four operations on his leg after a horrific tackle from Muscat in 1998.

At one point there were fears that Holmes would have to have his leg amputated.

After his retirement in 2011, Muscat turned to coaching, initially at Melbourne Victory in his home country.

In 2022, he won the J-League title with Yokohama F. Marinos and is set to win more trophies this season with Shanghai Port in the Chinese Super League.

With only a handful of games left, his team has lost just once in 25 matches and tops the league ahead of Shanghai Shenhua FC.

It is also unlikely that he will replace Graham Arnold as coach of the Socceroos, with Arnold keen to earn his stripes in Asia before eventually moving to a European club.