'Unfortunate and disappointing': Muscat says he could have turned Sint-Truiden around

Kevin Muscat believes he could have turned Sint-Truiden's fortunes around had he not been sacked as coach of the Belgian top division side, and will base himself in London as he looks for new opportunities.

The former Melbourne Victory coach said he was "disappointed" that his first foray into coaching in a high-level European league ended the way it did.

Kevin Muscat will base himself in London.Credit: Getty Images

But he was determined to go again – in Europe or any other good league that presents an opportunity – and take the lessons he has learnt from his time in Belgium.

"It was unfortunate and disappointing the way it finished up," a reflective Muscat told The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.

"A couple of wins instead of draws, a few chances taken, some decisions going our way that didn't, a few more points and it might have been different.

"But you have to accept the decisions made by the club's owners and move on. Could I have turned it 'round with more time? I like to think so, but they made their decision.

"I am planning to stay in Europe and take a break and recharge, take stock and see what might be available.

"It's not easy. These jobs are all hard to get, and when you do get the chance it's usually because the situation is difficult – they wouldn't have sacked the previous coach if they were not in trouble, so you need things to go your way then too.

"But I have been in the game all my life and coaching is something I have been involved with since I stopped playing and the more you do it, the different places you work, the more you learn."

Muscat plans to base himself in London after tidying up his affairs with Sint-Truiden's Japanese owners.

"It might have ended the way it did but it has been a great learning experience. Football here in Europe, it's the biggest game in town and to work in that environment, where people are focusing on the game, talking about it, discussing things, it's certainly a great experience.

"I felt I developed while in the job and can take lessons from this past year to where I go next."

Muscat is unlikely to want to return to the A-League just yet, with a job in Europe or perhaps Asia more likely to be on his agenda.

But like all out-of-work coaches he is always interested in what may be out there.

"Who knows. It all depends on who gets in touch, where the opportunities are, what the project is."

Muscat was not helped by the fact that Sint-Truiden sold several key players from last year's squad and did not replace them with similar quality.

Sint-Truiden have been struggling all season with just two wins and five draws from their 14 games during Muscat's tenure and they have lost the two matches since his dismissal – away to Club Brugge and at home to Charleroi.