The coaching career of Socceroos great Harry Kewell has taken a hit after he was sacked by Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos.
Kewell, 45, replaced fellow Aussie Kevin Muscat as manager of the J1 League outfit in December – but won just 15 of his 33 games in charge.
A Premier League legend with Leeds United, Kewell did reach the Asian Champions League final earlier this year – but lost 6-3 over two aggregate games to Al Ain.
The Yokohama Express has reported Kewell lost the dressing room with his ‘confusing’ instructions and ‘lack of respect’ shown towards his players.
It is also understood club figures at Yokohama found Kewell’s frequent outbursts at match officials unacceptable.
Yokohama F. Marinos is the Japanese side Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou guided to the title in 2019 – and only last month, furious fans booed Kewell’s team after they lost to Tokyo Verdy in a league match, leaving him so irate he was captured being physically held back and ushered away by staff in shocking scenes that were caught on video.
Kewell previously managed in the English lower leagues at the likes of Crawley Town and Notts County – before joining Scottish giants Celtic under ‘Aussie Ange’ in 2022.
The first-team coach remained part of Brendan Rodgers’ backroom staff last season when Postecoglou took over at Spurs and worked closely with the club’s attackers, namely Japanese winger Daizen Maeda.
The coaching career of Socceroos great Harry Kewell has taken a hit after he was sacked by Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos
It is understood club figures at Yokohama found Kewell’s frequent outbursts (pictured) at match officials on game days unacceptable
A-League legend John Hutchinson – who worked as an assistant under Kewell – is tipped to be the interim coach at the Marinos.
A capped international for Malta, Hutchinson enjoyed a long playing career in the defunct NSL – and then with the Central Coast Mariners – before turning his attention to coaching.
He predominantly has worked in the United States, before moving to Japan.
Meanwhile, Muscat’s coaching move to China continues to pay dividends.
His Shanghai Port side currently lead the Chinese Super League by two points from arch rivals Shanghai Shenhua, with Muscat’s men winning their last five matches.
One of Muscat’s key players is Brazilian midfielder Oscar, who joined the club from Premier League side Chelsea in 2017.
He earns a reported $768,000 per week in China.
