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SportsJFA to Extend Moriyasu's Contract for Six Months; He Will Lead Team at 2027 Asian Cup
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According to Nikkan Sports, the Japan Football Association (JFA) is expected to approve a six-month contract extension for head coach Hajime Moriyasu at a board meeting on July 23. Moriyasu will lead Japan in the 2027 Saudi Asian Cup (January-February), but JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has informed him the contract will not be renewed regardless of results. The leading successor is U-21 coach Tsuyoshi Oiwa, who is also targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The JFA is internally divided over whether Oiwa should serve full-time as senior national team coach or dual-role as both national and Olympic coach, a model used by predecessors Troussier and Moriyasu. The situation is complicated by the reduction of Asia's Olympic quota from 3.5 to 2, increasing pressure on the Olympic qualifiers. Oiwa is hesitant about leaving his assistant Kenji Haneda, and a compromise involving coach Hiroshi Nanami joining the staff is being considered. Moriyasu and Oiwa met on July 17 to facilitate the transition.
Source report
Hupu, July 22 — According to Nikkan Sports, the Japan Football Association (JFA) will hold a regular board meeting tomorrow (July 23) and is expected to officially approve Hajime Moriyasu to continue coaching the Japanese national team.
Moriyasu previously led the team to complete its World Cup qualification task for the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to insiders, with a majority of board members in favor, this "six-month" special contract extension will be finalized. Moriyasu will lead the team to participate in the Saudi Asian Cup, scheduled from January to February 2027.
JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has already clearly informed Moriyasu that regardless of the Asian Cup results, the contract will not be renewed after it expires. This means the Japanese team plans to welcome a new head coach during the international match window in March next year. Currently, the leading candidate to replace Moriyasu is Tsuyoshi Oiwa, the current head coach of the U-21 national team (targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics).
"Full-Time" or "Dual-Role"? The Association Is Torn Internally
Although the board will authorize the association to begin formal negotiations with the successor tomorrow, progress is not smooth. Miyamoto admitted on July 8: "There are many details to sort out, and it's not entirely smooth sailing yet."
The core conflict lies in whether to let Oiwa serve as the "full-time" head coach of the national team or have him take on a "dual-role" as head coach of both the national team and the Olympic team — similar to Philippe Troussier or Moriyasu in the past.
The Situation Has Changed: Olympic Quota Halved Brings Pressure
The Asian quota for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has been sharply reduced from 3.5 to 2, making the qualifiers extremely difficult. If Oiwa takes on both roles, it may be hard for him to fully dedicate himself to building the national team. Therefore, there are voices within the association hoping he can "focus" on leading the senior national team.
It is reported that the association proposed letting Oiwa serve full-time as the national team coach, while handing over the U-21 team to his assistant Kenji Haneda. However, Oiwa is hesitant about this, as he does not want to part ways with his trusted assistant.
Another compromise is to let Oiwa continue in a dual role while arranging for coach Hiroshi Nanami to join the national team coaching staff to assist. To ensure a smooth transition, Moriyasu and Oiwa met on July 17.
Source: Nikkan Sports International Football News
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Typical temp worker script: Renew for six months specifically to finish the Asian Cup, then graduate immediately. Moriyasu's Asian Cup finale will be his farewell match.
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虎扑 - 足球Regional
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