Muscat was interviewed during Victory's pre-grand final lunch at Crown on Friday, a high profile affair which attracts business leaders, politicians and some of the game's best names, and kept his own counsel, speaking of a rebuild for next season.

However chairman Anthony Di Pietro, while apoligising to the large crowd of Victory fans for the abject way in which the season ended with a 6-1 semi-final humiliation at the hands of Sydney FC last week, spoke of the need for wholesale change at the country's best supported club.

Speculation suggests that the club is girding itself to make a comment about Muscat's position on Monday ahead of the Asian Champions League fixture, in which captain Carl Valeri, a trusted Muscat confidante, will also play his last game before retiring.

There have been reports linking the former Socceroo captain with a potential opportunity in the Middle East, but it is thought that Muscat has not got anything lined up and and simply wants time away from the maelstrom of day to day coaching to consider his options and what alternatives may be available.

He has been at Victory for the club's entire existence, and many believe that it will be beneficial for the 45 year old coach to explore pastures new if he wants to build on his current impressive resume, which has seen him win two grand finals as Victory's head coach and take the club to another (where they lost on penalties) in his five seasons in charge.