Melbourne Victory has Adelaide United’s outgoing coach Marco Kurz on its radar

The A-League’s original rivalry is about to become much more fierce if Melbourne Victory manage to snare former Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz.

Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz salutes the crowd after a 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory at Coopers Stadium on April 19. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

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Adelaide United’s bitter rival, Melbourne Victory, is considering Marco Kurz as its replacement for club legend Kevin Muscat.

It is understood Kurz, 49, is attracting more than fleeting interest from Victory.

His understanding of the A-League and the Australian culture is likely to be embraced by Victory, which would give him far more leverage with the recruitment of players, finances, resources and development structure.

Muscat, 45, has signalled that Wednesday’s AFC Champions League group clash against San Frecce Hiroshima at AAMI Park is going to be his last as boss. Kurz is scheduled to leave for homeland Germany on the same day as Muscat’s farewell.

“The club is aware of the reports across several publications, but isn’t in the position to comment at the stage,’’ a Victory spokesman said.

Kurz led Adelaide to four wins, two losses and a draw over Victory’s Muscat during his time in charge.

The Reds won the 2018 FFA Cup and finished the season in fourth place. Kurz led Adelaide to fifth in his first season following a runner-up FFA Cup medal in 2017.

What has impressed Victory officials is his success despite having a very modest budget. According to Reds officials, his budget was “in excess of $3.9 million”, half the Victory players’ estimated $8 million salary which included Japanese superstar Keisuke Honda.

Wednesday’s clash is set to see dozens of Japanese journalists converge in Melbourne to see Honda’s farewell game.

Keisuke Honda’s personal trainer farewells Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz after the Reds’ 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory in April at Coopers Stadium. SARAH REED

Kurz was cut loose in March when Adelaide chairman Piet van der Pol stunned players and fans by telling him his two-year contract would not be extended.

Kurz responded professionally, guiding a makeshift Reds team to a dramatic semi-final loss in an extra-time penalty shoot-out against Perth Glory eight days ago.

That remarkable effort, according to sources close to Victory, boosted Kurz’s cred­entials even more.

It’s understood Victory is intent on appointing a foreign coach for the new season and expects to make an announcement within a month.

The club is believed to have first sounded out Matildas coach Ante Milicic to replace Muscat.

However, the former Socceroo was last week announced as coach of new franchise Macarthur FC, starting work with the NSW club next year after completing Olympic Games duties as coach of the Matildas.

In charge since taking the job as an interim since the 2011/12 season, Muscat has won two A-League championships and a Premiers Plate and been named Coach of the Year in 2015. During his 138 games playing with Victory, Muscat — capped 46 times for the Socceroos — captained the side, winning two championships and two Premiers Plates.

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