AFC Champions League
Muscat took over from fellow Australian Ange Postecoglou in the summer of 2021 before leading F Marinos to the title in 2022, and his last game in charge will be Wednesday’s AFC Champions League™ meeting with Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan.
“I would like to thank you for the opportunity to take charge of this special club,” Muscat said in a statement on the F Marinos official website. “This Wednesday will be my last game as a member of the Marinos family.
“Thank you very much for your warm welcome during the two and a half years since I came to Japan. I also want to express my gratitude to the players who expressed what I wanted on the pitch.
“I think their daily efforts and attitude were truly amazing. They exemplified attacking football, racked up points and goals, and played exciting football.
“Lastly, let me say this. The most important thing for any club is the fans and supporters. You can't imagine how much your support has helped me. We created some unforgettable memories together.
“I feel very sad to leave the Marinos family, but I wish Yokohama F Marinos good health and success.”
The 50-year-old took over with F Marinos struggling to match the form of their 2019 J1 League title winning campaign under Postecoglou but eventually led the club to a runners-up finish at the end of 2021.
Twelve months later he delivered the club’s fifth J.League title, finishing two points ahead of Kawasaki, before another runners-up finish in the just concluded season, with F Marinos seven points adrift of new champions Vissel Kobe.
F Marinos are currently third in Group G of the AFC Champions League 2023-24 and need to win against group leaders Shandong to have a realistic hope of advancing to the knockout rounds of the competition.
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