Muscat too busy to ponder future

MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat said future plans were on hold while continuing his two-pronged assault this campaign.

Muscat was plotting one final farewell game with old foe Graham Arnold, who will swap Sydney FC for the Socceroos in July when Muscat’s new two-year deal Victory kicks in.

With Victory celebrating a maiden 2018 Champions League win and two straight A-League wins ahead of tomorrow’s AAMI Park clash with Central Coast, Muscat was loath to discuss future plans despite signing a new deal.

Asked how the landscape might change with Arnold leaving, Muscat said: “Who knows? I haven’t paid too much focus on what’s happening at Sydney and what decisions they’ll make, but I wish Arnie well in his next role.

“I dare say the season’s not finished. Who knows, we might have an opportunity to play them again before he leaves.

“There’s still a lot to play out. At this point in time we’re still alive in the Champions League and we’ve still got a big part to play in the ALeague.”

Muscat has copped heat this season from a Victory fan base with big expectations.

As he prepares to enter a fifth year as Victory’s head coach after replacing Ange Postecoglou, Muscat never lost his focus.

“It’s not for me to comment on (criticism),’’ he said.

“I’ve enjoyed some really good times at this club and no doubt the plan will be to reproduce those good times and bring silverware. Unfortunately there’s nine other clubs with the same mentality.

“I’m honoured to remain at the club. It’s a great club. There’s work to do for the future, but the focus has clearly got to be on the here and now.

“We can have a say on both competitions that we’re in and we look forward to that challenge.”

Football chief Paul Trimboli will assume more responsibility to enable Muscat, who has been hands-on with player signings and strategy, to focus on coaching.

However on-field (tactical and structural) changes are already evident.