Harry Kewell is rumored to return to frontline management following eighteen fruitful and exciting months at Celtic.
It would not come as a huge surprise if Yokohama F Marinos were interested in signing the renowned former Australian internationalist to a J-League contract, given that he has enjoyed success under two Australian coaches.
As Kevin Muscat gets ready to leave Yokohama when his contract expires, he has been connected to a few roles in the UK, the most recent being Sunderland.
Although Kewall has managed in England’s lower leagues on a few occasions, the opportunity to manage in Yokohama may rekindle his desire to strike out on his own.
Celtic’s first team coach Harry Kewell is set to replace Kevin Muscat at Yokohama F. Marinos, per @sponichisoccer ???? pic.twitter.com/6JoDKd5LWX
— J. Football Now (@j_football_now) December 7, 2023
On the 7th, it was disclosed that Harry Kewell, 45, a Scottish First Division Celtic coach and former forward for the Australian national team, has emerged as the front-runner to take over as Yokohama’s manager.Negotiations, according to people involved, are going well. Should a formal decision be made, he will take over for director Kevin Muscat (50), whose retirement was declared on the same day.
Known as “The Wizard of Oz” in his playing days, Kewell was a well-known player who spent many years wearing the number 10 for the Australian national side. He played for Premier League teams including Leeds and Liverpool.
He participated in three matches in all, winning the first round of the 2006 World Cup in Germany 3-1 over Japan and losing the 2011 Asian Cup final in overtime.He got managerial experience in England’s lower levels after retiring in 2014, and in 2022 Celtic’s manager Postecoglou—who is presently at Tottenham—made him an offer to become a coach.
He studied offensive soccer last season under his local coach, who led Yokohama from 2018 to 2021 and trained Japanese national team players like Furuhashi and Maeda.
Midway through the 2021 campaign, Muscat was named Postecoglou’s replacement as head coach.Last season, he guided them to the J1 title for the first time in three seasons, carrying on his predecessor’s “attacking football” strategy.They fought Kobe to the very end this season in an attempt to win consecutively, but they ultimately placed second.
The club’s policy of playing aggressive football will not change, as indicated by President Akihiro Nakayama. Kewell meets the requirements of a successor manager because he carries on Coach Postecoglou’s mentality.
If Kewell assumes the reins, it will be his first managerial position in the top division.Despite his lack of experience, he is well-liked by the players and has a strong coaching reputation; therefore, future talks will be the center of interest.
It wouldn’t have been shocking if Kewell had followed Ange Postecoglou to Spurs in the summer; instead, he has worked under Brendan Rodgers and participated in the Champions League twice.
As first team coach at Celtic, the former Leeds and Liverpool player appears to have a particular duty for the wingers, as both Luis Palma and Daizen Maeda have noted Kewall’s contribution to their better play.
Along with Tim Cahill, Postecoglou’s success is anticipated to pave the way for future Australian managers to relocate to Europe. Kewell was instrumental in helping Australian players achieve success in England.
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