Japan in talks with Okada to return as coach
TOKYO (AFP) — The Japan Football Association said Tuesday it had entered talks with former national coach Takeshi Okada to return to the job to replace Ivica Osim, who suffered a stroke.
"We have entered full negotiations with Mr Okada on the job of the coach of the national team," a football association spokesman said.
Okada, 51, led Japan to their first World Cup in 1998. Despite limited experience at the time, he developed a reputation for being able to take tough decisions and sideline senior players if necessary.
Okada declined to comment on whether he would accept the job, telling reporters: "I have nothing to say for now."
But the Asahi Shimbun, quoting unnamed sources, said Okada was "positively considering" the offer. Okada and the football association may announce the deal in early December, the Yomiuri Shimbun's evening edition said.
Okada was first appointed Japan's coach in 1997 during the final Asian qualifiers for the World Cup in France, succeeding Shu Kamo who was fired due to mediocre results.
Okada rebuilt the team to enter the World Cup but quit afterwards when Japan were ousted from the tournament with no wins and three losses.
He became manager of Consadole Sapporo in the J-League second division in 1999. It took him only one year to lead his club to promotion to the top flight.
Okada then moved to the Yokohama F Marinos, winning two championships before he stepped down last year.
He is currently the JFA's special envoy for environmental conservation.
Osim, a Bosnian known for his bluntness and dour personality, replaced Brazilian legend Zico as coach after Japan's first-round exit in last year's World Cup.
Osim has been in intensive care since mid-November but is slowly recovering, according to the football association.
"Mr Osim is regaining consciousness and was able to meet his family yesterday," a spokeswoman for the association said Tuesday.
"We cannot be too optimistic, but his family members are delighted," she said.
Under Osim, Japan have won 13 matches, lost five and drawn two. But they failed to win a third straight Asian Cup in July.
Osim, 66, led the former Yugoslavia to the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals. He was a striker for Strasbourg and guided J-League strugglers JEF United into title contention.
