Kewell close to CL glory, coaching redemption after multiple failures — but he’s ‘not taking full credit’
Harry Kewell’s coaching career has not yet matched the heights he reached as a player but he can take a big step forward in this week’s AFC Champions League final.
Kewell’s Yokohama F-Marinos take on Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in Saturday’s first leg, only four months after the former Leeds and Liverpool forward took over at the Japanese club.
Kewell struggled in lower-league English football with Crawley Town, Notts County and Oldham, and he was sacked by fifth-tier Barnet in 2021 after failing to win in his first seven matches.
The Australian now has a shot at coaching redemption as he prepares for a battle of wits against another English Premier League favourite -- the coach of Al Ain is former Chelsea and Argentina striker Hernan Crespo.
Watch selected NRL & AFL games, along with every F1 race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial today
“It’s a learning process,” the 45-year-old Kewell said after Yokohama’s semi-final win over South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai that took them to the final of the Asian club championship for the first time.
“Every club that I’ve been at, every single player that I’ve worked with has been excellent, wanting to learn more about the game, wanting to work harder.
“It’s something for myself to be able to go out there and learn as well.”
Kewell is hoping to build on the legacy left at Yokohama by fellow Australians Ange Postecoglou and Kevin Muscat.
Postecoglou won the J-League in 2019 before joining Celtic and then moving on to Tottenham in the Premier League.
Muscat set up Kewell for success by guiding Yokohama through to this season’s Champions League knockout round before leaving to join China’s Shanghai Port in December.
Kewell’s previous job was as a first-team
Read on foxsports.com.au
