Kevin Muscat is now a J1 League-winning manager after guiding Yokohama F.Marinos to a thrilling title.
The J1 League title race went down to the final day of the season, with Muscat’s Marinos just two points clear of defending champions Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.
But Marinos were not to be denied after proving too strong for Vissel Kobe 3-1, while Frontale’s 3-2 victory over FC Tokyo was not enough.
It means A-Leagues legend Muscat – in his second season with F.Marinos – is a J1 League winner, just like his mentor Ange Postecoglou, who he replaced in Yokohama last year.
Muscat, who delivered a pair of Isuzu UTE A-League championships to Melbourne Victory during his time at AAMI Park, is the second Australian coach to taste J1 League glory after Postecoglou led Marinos to a drought-ending trophy in 2019.
“It’s a little bit surreal. I’m just really proud. I think if there’s an overriding emotion, it’s pride; not only [in] the result but the way we played. The way we won was tremendous,” Muscat said.
“For us personally, we’ve been focusing on creating moments – through challenges, creating moments – and today, the moment that we created also created history.
“These guys will go down in history as one group that won the trophy for Marinos.”
Surrounded by former A-Leagues player and assistant Shaun Ontong, Adelaide United great Ross Aloisi and fellow Aussie Greg King, Muscat has brought a seventh J1 League crown to Marinos.
Only Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Kashima Antlers (both eight) have been more successful in Japan’s top flight.
Muscat has won three Manager of the Month awards this season, while he signed a new contract for 2023.
