"Korea's 4-1 defeat → shock replacement → shooting at the Korea Football Association" National team coach said, "Stop nitpicking... I'd rather leave"

*This content was translated by AI.

Former coach Nils Nilsen, who resigned from the baton of the Japanese women's national soccer team even after becoming the Asian champion, left a statement of conviction. On the surface, it is a breakup following the expiration of the contract, but it is the first interview immediately after he was virtually dismissed for not matching the philosophy of the association even though he actually made grades.

Japanese media 'Real Sports' focused on interviews with former coach Nilsen on the 6th. According to the media, Nilsen said, "I can't be someone other than myself. I never intend to do that," he said, implying that he rejected the changes demanded by the Japan Football Association (JFA).

According to "Sports Hochi" and others, JFA Director Norio Sasaki reported Nilsen's retirement and pointed out that "Coach Nilsen's coaching method is loose and soft."

During his tenure, Nilsen led his first win in 13 years since taking office in December 2024 and his overwhelming performance of 29 points and one run at the Asian Cup in March to regain the top spot for the first time in eight years. The performance was so clear that it drew rave reviews from U.S. coach Emma Hayes that she played "a higher level of football than the U.S."

However, coach Nilsen was unable to continue with the Japanese national team in the end. The JFA cited the inconvenience of communication through interpretation and mild guidance style as reasons for the failure to extend Nilsen's contract.

In particular, the Japanese national team under coach Nilsen led the team to regain the top spot for the first time in eight years with a phenomenal performance of 29 points and one run in six games at the Asian Cup in March. Even though JFA proved to be the strongest in Asia with a 4-1 victory over South Korea in the semifinals of the tournament, JFA made the mistake of changing the head coach 12 days after winning the championship.

In response, Nilsen said, "If the JFA wants a coach in a different way than me, it is natural to go their own way," but added, "I am a head coach who emphasizes the player's identity and psychological stability."

Even in response to the JFA's self-assessment, Nilsen said, "I have never dominated a team with fear. "I don't believe in controlling everything or coaching players with fear," he said. In order to produce results, emotional stability is paramount," he countered.

In addition, Nilsen did not spare any criticism for the development of Japanese soccer. Coach Nilsen pointed out, "Fans, media, and JFA should look in the same direction and stop nitpicking each other's shortcomings."

Currently, the Japanese women's national team has switched to acting coach Michihisa Kano and is in full swing to appoint its own coach. However, local fans are still angry at JFA's decision to send coach Nilsen out for an unclear reason that "the map is ripe" even after retaking the top of Asia.

Despite his disgraceful resignation, Nilsen left his last greeting, saying, "I leave part of my heart in Japan." The conflict between grades and philosophy leaves a big homework for Japanese women's soccer preparing for next year's World Cup in Brazil.

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*This content was translated by AI.