Kewell has taken time out from his assistant's role at Celtic to finalise the switch from the Scottish Premiership to the J1 League, where he has huge shoes to fill after the success Postecoglou and then Muscat brought to the club.

Postecoglou and Muscat both win J1 League titles during their tenures, and after last season’s second-placed finish behind Vissel Kobe, the pressure will be on Kewell to preserve the club's elite standing in the 2024 season.

The decision to bring Hutchinson, 44, along for the ride marks a return to the club for the Central Coast Mariners great, who worked alongside Postecoglou  at the Nissan Stadium in 2021 when Marinos finished second behind Kawasaki Frontale.

Last season, Hutchinson was assistant at local rivals Yokohama FC, who were ultimately relegated after finishing last on the ladder, a 2-1 final day defeat to Kashima Antlers sealing their fate.

Kewell’s appointment represents a significant risk by the Marinos hierarchy after a less than stellar head coaching career thus far in England’s lower tiers at the likes of Crawley Town, Notts County, Oldham Athletic and Barnet.

The ex-Leeds and Liverpool winger, 45, was parachuted into Celtic Park during Postecoglou’s brief reign and made a deep impression as his assistant, particularly in his work homing the craft of the Scottish champions’ attacking players.