Kevin Muscat’s move to J-League side Yokohama F. Marinos is on hold due to visa restrictions imposed by the Japanese Government.
The Asian Game first reported in late June that Muscat had agreed to take over from fellow Australian Ange Postecoglou at Yokohama, who was appointed head coach of Scottish giants Celtic.
Paul Williams, the host of The Asian Game podcast, says Yokohama could look internally if Muscat can’t be granted a visa with current assistant John Hutchison a potential option.
Former Central Coast captain Hutchison joined Yokohama’s coaching staff in January and is currently working under interim coach Hideki Matsunaga.
“It’s our understanding at The Asian Game that the job is effectively his. He’s been given the job,” Williams told 1170 SEN’s The Global Game.
“The issue is that the Japanese Government aren’t issuing any visas for anyone to come into the country, and that’s effectively holding things up.
“Unless something can be worked out with the J-League, the JFA (Japanese Football Association) and the Government to get these people into the country, I suspect it might get to the point where the deal with ‘Muscy’ just can’t eventuate.
“It’s pretty hard to coach when you’re not in the country, although we did see that in the J-League this year. Never rule it out.
“If it gets to point, it might put John Hutchison back into the frame because of course he’s the assistant there to Hideki Matsunaga at the moment.
“If it gets to the point where they think they can’t get Kevin in, I expect they’ll look internally at that point.”
Muscat is looking to bounce back from a forgettable 14-game stint with Belgian club Sint-Truiden.