On Sunday, Miron Muslic will attempt to orchestrate what many consider impossible—leading his bottom-of-the-Championship Plymouth Argyle to victory against Premier League leaders Liverpool in the FA Cup. The challenge is daunting, the odds heavily stacked against his team. Yet, for Muslic, a man forged in adversity, defeating Liverpool might just be the easiest battle he has ever faced.
Born in Bihac, Bosnia, Muslic’s early years were marked by upheaval. In 1992, as a nine-year-old, he and his family fled their hometown overnight, escaping the horrors of a civil war that would soon engulf the region. Just months after their departure, Bihac fell under a brutal three-year siege by Serb-led forces. The memories of hurried goodbyes and a desperate exodus remain etched in his mind.
“We had to leave Bosnia, and Bihac, our hometown, literally overnight, grabbing things you can grab with your hands,” Muslic recalled in an interview with BBC Sport. “That’s where our journey, or our new life, started.”
Life as a refugee was a struggle. His father, a waiter for over three decades, and his mother, a cleaning lady, worked tirelessly to provide for their family. Despite the hardships, Muslic never felt deprived. He inherited his parents’ resilience, learning that survival is built on belief, commitment, and an unbreakable spirit.
That same philosophy now fuels his approach to football. Having guided Cercle Bruges to the UEFA Europa Conference League this season, Muslic understands that success is not merely a product of skill but of determination.
“I’ve been in more challenging situations in my life than being a head coach and facing a possible draw or a defeat at the weekend,” he said. “That’s the message I want to deliver to my players—life is a struggle, but there are beautiful surprises. There is always something worth fighting for.”
Taking over at Plymouth just last month from England legend Wayne Rooney, Muslic has already begun to instill this mindset in his squad. Against Liverpool, his team will not just be fighting for an FA Cup fairytale but for a belief that no obstacle is insurmountable.
“All the things that have happened over the last 30 years helped me become who I am today,” he reflected. “Nothing is impossible if you truly believe, if you commit, if you convince, and if you go really, really fully.”
As the whistle blows on Sunday, the odds may not favor Muslic and Plymouth, but history has shown that the impossible can happen—especially when belief is unshakable. Whether they win or not, Muslic’s journey itself is already proof that miracles are real.