Ex-Victory coach Kevin Muscat linked with struggling Wanderers

Kevin Muscat continues to be linked with Western Sydney as Wanderers coach Markus Babbel prepares for a make-or-break festive period.

Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat farewells the crowd after coaching his last match for the club, against Sanfrecce Hiroshima at AAMI Park in May. Picture: Getty Images

Kevin Muscat continues to be linked with Western Sydney as Wanderers coach Markus Babbel prepares for a make-or-break festive period.

The Wanderers sit just three points off the bottom of the ladder and time is running out for Babbel to save his job with two-time A-League champion coach Muscat the only candidate believed to be on the radar for Western Sydney.

The Wanderers play three matches in 16 days, kicking off with Adelaide on Friday before playing Brisbane on New Year’s Day and Wellington on January 11.

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Former Melbourne Victory manager Muscat is searching through the English and Scottish market for a job opportunity after a successful playing career in the UK with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Glasgow Rangers.

Muscat’s former assistant for four years at Victory, Jean Paul de Marigny, is already part of the Wanderers coaching staff and could help Muscat make a smooth transition should the former Socceroo be in line to replace Babbel.

Western Sydney earned some respite after earning a point against Western United last Friday, but the draw was met with a chorus of boos at Bankwest Stadium.

Fans’ patience is wearing thin after watching their team go seven matches without a win, the Wanderers’ last victory coming in the Sydney derby in October.

Out of his next three matches, the home battle against his former Liverpool teammate Robbie Fowler’s Roar will be deemed a “must-win” match for Babbel against a side equal on points with the last-placed Newcastle Jets.

Following the clash with the Phoenix, Perth Glory then await, before an away game with Central Coast in Gosford. That will lead to a hotly contested Sydney derby in early February.

Wanderers defender Matthew Jurman is also feeling the pressure at Wanderland saying their 1-1 draw against Western United “felt like a loss”.

“We really deserved three points,” Jurman said. “We’re under pressure to create those chances and score goals, hopefully one day it clicks for us.”

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH