Aussie ex-Premier League hard man Kevin Muscat takes up shock coaching job after being linked to big job in England

Former Melbourne Victory mentor Kevin Muscat will continue his coaching career in China following his departure from Japanese club Yokohama F, Marinos.

Despite having been linked to the job at English Championship club Sunderland, Muscat has been announced as the new coach of Shanghai Port, who won this year's Chinese Super League title.

Muscat replaces Spaniard Javier Pereira, who left the club after just nine months in charge despite having led Shanghai Port to championship glory

Shanghai Port's captain is 32-year-old former Chelsea star, Brazilian midfielder Oscar, while a former player at the club was ex-Socceroo and the now retired Aaron Mooy.

Muscat's final game in charge of Marinos was a 3-0 AFC Champions League win over Chinese club Shandong Taishan.

The victory secured Marinos top spot in Group G and a berth in the knockout stages.

Muscat led the Yokohama club to the 2022 J1 League title and second place this year.

Another former Socceroo, Harry Kewell, has been linked to the Marinos coaching job, which has also been previously held by current Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou.

Muscat spent 10 years in the UK as a player, with stints at Crystal Palace, Wolves, Rangers and Millwall, and was often dubbed the dirtiest footballer in the country.

Yokohama made it clear they had not wanted the former Socceroos defender to leave and said they would start looking for his successor immediately.

'Manager Kevin Muscat has recently stepped down as the manager of Yokohama F. Marinos and will be aiming for a new challenge,' CEO Akihiro Nakayama said in a statement translated to English.

'We would like to express our gratitude to Coach Muscat for his many accomplishments.

'It was a difficult decision for the club to make, but after repeated discussions, the club respected Coach Muscat's wishes and reached a mutual agreement.

'As the Marinos family, we would like to support Coach Muscat in his new challenge.'