{"id":502044,"date":"2025-10-15T17:40:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T17:40:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/502044\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T17:40:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T17:40:16","slug":"kevin-muscat-to-rangers-escalates-as-shanghai-port-prepare-contingency-plan-with-contract-quirk-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/502044\/","title":{"rendered":"Kevin Muscat to Rangers escalates as Shanghai Port prepare &#8216;contingency plan&#8217; with contract quirk revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Chinese Super League leaders are facing the prospect of losing their boss to the Glasgow giants<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3_GettyImages-2186938058.jpg\" alt=\"Head coach Kevin Muscat of Shanghai Port is seen prior to the AFC Champions League Elite East Region match between Ulsan HD and Shanghai Port at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>(Image: Chung Sung-Jun\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Shanghai Port are preparing for life without <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/kevin-muscat\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Kevin Muscat<\/a> after he emerged as the favourite to be the next Rangers manager.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Title-winning boss <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/steven-gerrard-rejects-rangers-return-36053362\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Steven Gerrard pulled out of the running<\/a> last weekend sparked a major rethink for the US owners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Former Sheffield Wednesday boss <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/danny-rohl\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Danny Rohl<\/a> emerging as the favourite for the job after impressing <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/andrew-cavenagh\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Andrew Cavenagh<\/a> and Paarag Marathe of 49ers Enterprises during talks in London.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">But Muscat &#8211; who lost out on the job to Philippe Clement in 2023 &#8211; is back on the Ibrox agenda despite being in the midst of a title tilt in China.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">The Super League season will run until November 22 &#8211; with Shanghai currently sitting in top spot as they look to defend their crown.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Muscat\u2019s Port currently sit ahead of Chengdu Rongcheng and Shanghai Shenhua by two and three points respectively with four games remaining.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">The earliest the title could be wrapped up is October 26 if their title rivals collapse &#8211; but it would require a collapse from their title rivals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Muscat is four league fixtures away from glory with Qingdao Hainiu, Shandong Taishan, Zhejiang, and Dalian Zhixing standing between the boss and back-to-back league titles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Neil McCann was part of Barry Ferguson&#8217;s interim management team last season &#8211; and had been earmarked by Muscat two years ago as a potential assistant and could step into the job on an interim basis until the former Ibrox midfielder finishes the season in the Far East.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_JS361307694.jpg\" alt=\"Neil McCann during Rangers training session\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Neil McCann during Rangers training session<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Chinese outlet <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/fans.sports.qq.com\/post.htm?id=1846035920938074227&amp;mid=255#1_allWithElite\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"TencentLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Tencent<\/a> claim that the Shanghai chiefs are preparing a &#8220;contingency plan&#8221; should Muscat leave the club at the end of the campaign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">However, it is unlikely the boss will come cheap with the report claiming that after winning the title last term Muscats contract &#8220;auto renewed&#8221; with a &#8220;championship clause&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">That the Australian has a deal at Port until December 2026 on a deal that currently sees him earn between \u00a31.6million and \u00a32million.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">Follow <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Record Sport<\/strong> on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Record_Sport\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"TwitterLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a>, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DailyRecordSport\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"FacebookLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dailyrecord_sport\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"InstagramLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a> for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">You can get all the news you need on our dedicated <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/rangers-fc\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"RangersLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Rangers<\/a> page and sign up to our <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?view=Solus&amp;mailingListId=63d718e7-01d7-475b-8771-1036275c62c8&amp;utm_source=solusarticle\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"newslettersLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">newsletters<\/a> to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\">We&#8217;re also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/EgVkLjEJzvoGCjPsITDsXg\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"dailyrecord\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Tune in to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/watch-record-sport-hotline-live-33585614\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Hotline LiveLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Hotline Live<\/a> every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport&#8217;s newest podcast, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/GameOnListen\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Game OnLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Game On<\/a>, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Chinese Super League leaders are facing the prospect of losing their boss to the Glasgow giants(Image: Chung&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":502045,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[24753,1634,76431,160515,164604,1946,22140,1638,79,10246,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-502044","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-andrew-cavenagh","9":"tag-barry-ferguson","10":"tag-danny-rohl","11":"tag-kevin-muscat","12":"tag-neil-mccann","13":"tag-rangers-fc","14":"tag-san-francisco-49ers","15":"tag-scottish-premiership","16":"tag-sports","17":"tag-steven-gerrard","18":"tag-uk","19":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115379413656668291","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/502044","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=502044"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/502044\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/502045"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=502044"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=502044"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=502044"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}