Miron Muslic: Plymouth Argyle ‘would be safe if I was in charge longer’

Miron Muslic says Plymouth Argyle would not be facing relegation if he had been head coach since the start of the season.

The Bosnian-born Austrian took over in January after former England captain Wayne Rooney’s spell with the Pilgrims ended.

The former Cercle Bruges boss has won eight and drawn five of his 22 games in charge, three more wins and two more draws than Rooney managed in 25 matches.

Argyle are bottom of the Championship, three points from safety, with two games left to play.

“I think if I’m the head coach from day one we will be far, far away from the relegation zone, we will be safe five games ago,” Muslic said after Argyle’s impressive 3-1 win over Coventry City on Monday.

“I truly believe if I will be here with my staff from day one, we will be nowhere near where we are right now.”

Muslic reiterated his belief that Argyle can still escape the relegation zone.

His side travel to face Preston on Saturday, 26 April, before hosting promoted Leeds United on the final day of the season at Home Park on 3 May.

Survival is out of Argyle’s hands – they need Luton Town, Cardiff City and Derby County to all drop points if they are to stay up.

But Muslic says recent results show there is still a chance Argyle can secure a third successive season in the second tier.

“The performance today, the performance at Middlesbrough,” he told BBC Sport after the win over Coventry.

“We’ve taken nine points at Home Park against Norwich, against Sheffield United, against Coventry.

“These are teams playing for the Premier League and they all lost here in Plymouth at Home Park, that gives me the confidence.”