Plymouth fans will be fuming with Miron Muslic’s transfer target at Schalke, he was ‘perfect’ for Argyle

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Former Plymouth boss Miron Muslic continues to leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the Green Army faithful after his departure for FC Schalke.

After overseeing the relegation of Plymouth Argyle back down to League One, then-head coach Miron Muslic left the club in dubious circumstances for FC Schalke.

Muslic was tipped to take Plymouth back to the Championship this season, but opened talks with the German giants in the wake of the demotion, which saw Argyle fans accuse Muslic of “jumping at the first opportunity”.

The Plymouth chairman slammed the conduct of Muslic as a result, and after he left with acrimony from Argyle, former Watford head coach Tom Cleverley became his “perfect” replacement.

As the summer transfer window continues, former boss Muslic could be about to sting the hearts of Plymouth fans once again.

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Miron Muslic targets former Plymouth Argyle loanee Nikola Katic for FC Schalke

Newly-appointed Muslic has begun life with the Bundesliga Two giants by trying to sign one of his former Plymouth stars, Nikola Katic.

Sky Sports Germany outlined that Schalke “would like to sign Nikola Katic” and that Muslic is “keen” to have the towering defender in his ranks once again.

The report adds: “Intensive negotiations are currently underway between Schalke and Katic, but the clubs have not yet concluded a deal. (Katic) also has other options.”

After his January arrival on loan from FC Zurich, centre-back Katic featured 17 times in an Argyle jersey under Muslic, and scored in a 5-1 rout of Millwall.

However, the Bosnian defender could not help Argyle stem the tide of relegation from the Championship before his loan stint at Home Park concluded.

Katic cemented himself as a key figure in Muslic’s Plymouth backline, and his former head coach lauded him with praise throughout their ill-fated campaign.

In April, Muslic said via the BBC of Katic: “It’s never easy, especially when the season is about to end and the loan players know exactly ‘I will return back to my to my home club and I will return back to the roots’, so they can lose a little bit of spirit.

“But that’s exactly the opposite because Nikola, that’s an international football player, he’s a national player for Bosnia.

“That’s why all the data is perfect, all the analysis is perfect, that’s why you need to do a character check before you sign players. I knew in January this is the right player for us.”

His resolute defensive displays are evident as to why Muslic wants Katic at his disposal again for Schalke, but with Plymouth desperate for instant promotion, they must beat Schalke to his signature.

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Nikola Katic should choose Plymouth Argyle over Miron Muslic’s FC Schalke

Argyle fans were distraught to see Katic’s name on the loan expired section of the club’s retained list ahead of next season.

His bravery, ability, and physical presence at the heart of defence were adored by the Green Army, in a love shared by the Bosnian defender.

After his departure was confirmed, Katic said on Instagram: “Gave it all every time I put shirt on to help you achieve your goal and stay where you belong.

“Makes me sad we couldn’t do it, but I’m sure you will bounce back.

“Even (though) it was short period you made me feel like home. Support was brilliant and I couldn’t thank you enough for that. Once a Janner, always a Janner.”

Given that Muslic is Schalke’s tenth head coach in just over three years, and his relative inexperience in management, there is no guarantee that the Austrian boss even sees out the season at Schalke, which should be a major cause of concern for Katic in potentially following his former Plymouth boss.

Argyle ace Ryan Hardie is poised for a move to Wrexham, so the Plymouth faithful are in desperate need of some positive transfer news, and Katic’s acquisition on a permanent basis would definitely fit the bill.

Returning to a club he holds great respect for, under an exciting head coach like Cleverley, should turn Katic’s head away from the advances of Muslic’s Schalke and prompt him to return to Plymouth this summer.