On Sunday, Plymouth Argyle’s head coach, Miron Muslic, will face a monumental challenge. His side, languishing at the bottom of the Championship, is set to square off against Premier League leaders and six-time European champions, Liverpool, in the FA Cup. While the odds are stacked against Argyle, Muslic’s own life story has taught him that no challenge is insurmountable.
Born in Bosnia, Muslic’s journey began under harrowing circumstances. In 1992, at just nine years old, he and his family were forced to flee their hometown of Bihac as the region descended into the brutal Bosnian War. The Muslic family escaped just in time, narrowly avoiding the siege that would envelop Bihac for three years. “We had to leave Bosnia, and Bihac, our home town, literally overnight,” Muslic recalls, speaking to BBC Sport. “Grabbing things you can grab with your hands… that’s where our journey, or our new life, started.”
Muslic and his family embarked on a difficult 400-mile journey to Innsbruck, Austria, where they arrived uncertain of their future. Struggling to communicate due to the German-accented language, Muslic’s family faced an uphill battle. Yet, despite these challenges, Muslic reflects on the experience with resilience. “We struggled our whole life, and this part of struggling is part of my journey,” he says. “That’s why I’m always very optimistic and very positive. I’ve been in more challenging situations in my life than being a head coach.”
His experiences growing up have shaped his approach to coaching, instilling in him a philosophy of perseverance. “Nothing was easy for me, or for my family,” Muslic adds. “We became refugees, and it’s not a pretty thing, but I never had the feeling that I missed something in my life.” His parents, who worked tirelessly—his father as a waiter and his mother as a cleaning lady—made sure their children had what they needed. “All the things that have happened over the last 30 years helped me become who I am today,” Muslic says, emphasizing the power of belief, commitment, and resilience.
Muslic’s story is not only one of survival but also of achievement. After a career that took him from Wacker Innsbruck to the top five tiers of Austrian football and a brief stint in Croatia, Muslic made the leap into management. He recently took over as head coach at Plymouth Argyle, a club struggling in the Championship. Despite inheriting a side battling relegation, Muslic’s arrival has brought a glimmer of hope.
Argyle’s recent 2-1 win against West Bromwich Albion—ended a club-record 15-game winless streak—demonstrated Muslic’s growing impact. The club also made headlines last week, paying a club-record fee for Ukraine defender Maksym Talovierov. However, Muslic’s challenges haven’t ended there, as his two star players—defender Lewis Gibson and forward Morgan Whittaker—left during the transfer window.
Despite these setbacks, Muslic is undeterred. “Life is a struggle with beautiful surprises,” he insists, a message he conveys to his players. His first speech to the Argyle squad—watched by millions on social media—was a testament to his infectious energy and passion for the game.
Football has always been a powerful force in Muslic’s life, helping him adapt to life in a new country. “Football is universal,” he explains. “It’s not about your name, your religion, or your refugee status; it’s about the game. That’s why I always call it ‘the game we love’—it’s the magic of football.”
Whether Plymouth Argyle manages to pull off a shock victory over Liverpool or not, Muslic’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder that, with determination and belief, anything is possible. “If I look to the locker room of Argyle, they are just lads from all over the world, and it works,” he says. “So imagine the world as a locker room; it would be a good place to be.”
Muslic’s story, from refugee to football coach, is a powerful example of resilience and the unifying power of sport.
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