Latest Millwall manager development will surely excite supporters: Opinion | OneFootball

Highlights

Millwall are on the lookout for a new manager, and one man who has been linked with the club since Gary Rowett’s departure is Kevin Muscat.

The Australian will still be remembered from his time as a player, where he earned a reputation for his no-nonsense, aggressive style that often overstepped the mark, during spells with Wolves, Rangers and the Lions, among others.

However, Muscat has emerged as a talented coach since retiring, winning trophies with Melbourne Victory in Australia, and current club Yokohama Marinos in Japan.

Kevin Muscat could be the ideal fit for Millwall

Therefore, talk that Muscat would be interested in the vacancy at The Den, and that he would bring former favourite Alan Dunne as his assistant, should excite the fans.

Despite his fearsome reputation on the pitch, Muscat’s footballing philosophy isn’t what you would perhaps expect.

Having worked with Ange Postecoglou for years, and succeeded him in his current role, Muscat is someone who wants to play fast, attacking, dynamic football.

It may not be the exact same style as the Spurs chief, but Muscat credits Postecoglou as his mentor, so it’s natural that he will build on his own approach around that.

And, that’s exactly what Millwall need right now.

Having recorded four top-half finishes in the past four years, you can’t really argue with the results that Rowett had at The Den.

The main criticism about Rowett generally centred on the style of play, with fans convinced that this group should have been playing in a more expansive way, something Muscat could rectify.

Of course, there needs to be a balance, and pundit Sam Parkin recently stated the Millwall role was ‘unique’, and one of the ‘hardest jobs in English football’ due to the demands that come from the fans.

Some will dispute that claim, but another positive aspect of Muscat’s potential arrival is that he knows the club.

The 50-year-old made over 50 appearances for the Londoners, which included helping the team to the FA Cup final. So, he understands the Millwall DNA, and if he did need to tweak his approach, he will know what those on the terraces want.

Obviously, bringing in Dunne as his assistant would reinforce that, and both would ensure the Millwall side they picked represented the fans in a way they’d want.

Let’s be clear, no club should ever appoint a manager just because they played for the club, but the reality is that Muscat is more than qualified for this role.

Then, it’s a real bonus that he has a connection, and the same applies with Dunne.

Millwall should embrace the fact they have an intense fan base, and it shouldn’t be something they try to change. Instead, it’s about getting the supporters onside, and building a momentum that could help them thrive at this level.

From a tactical perspective, Muscat can build on the impressive work Rowett has done, and his partnership with Dunne would bring a passion and fire that the fans can relate to.

So, even though there are many suitable candidates for the Millwall job, a dream team of Muscat and Dunne could tick all the boxes to help the club go to the next level.