Muscat in mix for romantic Millwall return

Kevin Muscat has emerged among the leading contenders to replace Millwall coach Neil Harris at the Championship club he once skippered.

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The former Melbourne Victory mentor, who played 60 games for the Lions between 2003 and 2005, is familiar with the London outfit’s DNA, and would jump at the chance to return to England where his reputation as an on-field enforcer still looms large.

Leading British bookies Paddy Power have Muscat, 46, at 12-1 for the vacancy created by Harris’ exit, behind front-runner Roy Keane (2-1), caretaker Adam Barrett (6-1) and fellow former Lion Tim Cahill (8-1).

It’s unclear whether Socceroos legend Cahill is even interested in venturing into the coaching realm. But his name has been placed in the frame regardless.

The likes of Chris Hughton, and previous Lions boss Mick McCarthy - currently in charge of Republic of Ireland - are also in the mix.

Muscat has been positioning himself for an overseas gig since ending his 14-year association with Victory in May, having won two championships and a premiership during his tenure as coach and two of each as a player.

He led Millwall to the 2004 FA Cup final after a 1-0 victory over Sunderland in which Cahill scored the winner, only to miss the 1-0 final loss to Manchester United with a knee injury.

Muscat’s hard man image - though mellowed somewhat by his years in management - would be in keeping with the gritty ethos of a club which prides itself on muscle, gristle and down to earth values.

His hands-on style at Victory, where he had oversight over ever facet of the club, might also be to the liking of Lions chairmen John Berylson, assuming he is looking for a strong authority figure.

Muscat, whose name has also been mentioned in MLS circles, would also be a more cost-effective option than the likes of Keane, for example.

Australian Frank Trimboli, of the high-profile Base Soccer agency, is in his corner as he seeks a return to the UK where he also played for Rangers, Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton during a nine-year stay.

Trimboli helped Ange Postecoglou parachute into Yokohama F.Marinos after his Socceroos exit and also counts Arsene Wenger, Roy Hodgson and Bordeaux’s Paulo Sousa among his clients. He recently brokered the deal which saw Portuguese Paulo Fonseca take charge at Roma.

Harris, 42, stepped down after nearly five years in charge with Millwall in the midst of an early season slump.

However they bounced back in style overnight, defeating promotion contenders Leeds United 2-1 at the New Den to jump to 15th on the table and strengthen interim boss Barrett’s hopes of landing the job on a permanent basis.