Japan Football Association makes shocking decision: Coach Hajime Moriyasu offered only one-year contract renewal

*This content was translated by AI.

The Japan Football Association appears set to continue working with Hajime Moriyasu (58), the coach who led the team to qualification for the group stage of the FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive time. However, reports indicate that instead of a four-year contract extending to the next World Cup, the association is likely to propose a one-year short-term deal.

Japanese media outlets, including Asahi Shimbun and Sports Nippon Annex, reported on the 2nd that the Japan Football Association plans to offer Coach Moriyasu a one-year short-term contract. There have also been reports that the association has already made a renewal proposal to Coach Moriyasu behind the scenes.

Coach Moriyasu, who took charge in 2018, led Japan to qualification for the group stage of two consecutive World Cups: the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. He is widely praised for elevating the Japanese national team to world-class standards over his eight-year tenure.

Although Japan was eliminated in the first round of the knockout stage at the 32nd place in the North American World Cup, the team demonstrated its strength by drawing 2-2 with the Netherlands in the group stage and suffering a last-minute comeback defeat against Brazil due to what is known as a "theatrical goal conceded."

Shortly after qualifying for the group stage, there were expectations in Japan that Coach Moriyasu might extend his contract for another four years, ending with this World Cup. Had a four-year extension been approved, it would have marked the first time in Japanese football history that a coach would have held the position for 12 consecutive years. However, following the elimination in the 32nd place, the mood shifted, and the possibility of a one-year renewal is now gaining traction.

The Japan Football Association's decision to pursue a short-term contract is closely tied to the AFC Asian Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia next January. Japan, having won the tournament in 2011, is now aiming for its first title in 16 years. The team was eliminated in the quarterfinals in both the 2015 and 2023 editions and finished as runners-up in the 2019 tournament. With little time remaining until the Asian Cup, it is highly likely that most of the current World Cup squad will be retained. Thus, the association is proposing a one-year extension to Coach Moriyasu with the goal of winning the Asian Cup.

However, even in Japan, the one-year renewal is seen as unexpected, with some describing it as "unprecedented." Contract extensions of just one year for a national team head coach are rare, and the fact that the coach in question successfully led the team to two consecutive World Cup group stage qualifications makes it even more unusual. This context also explains why there is uncertainty in Japan about whether Coach Moriyasu will accept the proposal.

According to Sports Nippon Annex, the Japan Football Association plans to have Coach Moriyasu lead the team to an Asian Cup title, after which the A-national team coaching duties will be handed over to Koji Oiwata, head coach of the Japan U-21 national team. For now, until next year, Coach Oiwata will focus solely on the Asian qualifiers for the Los Angeles (LA) Olympics, with the intention of taking over the A-national team starting in 2028.

If Coach Moriyasu declines the one-year renewal offer and parts ways with the association, the Japan Football Association plans to appoint Coach Oiwata to simultaneously coach both the A-national team and the U-21 national team. Coach Oiwata previously coached only the Japan U-23 national team in 2017, then took on dual roles as head coach of both the A-national team and the U-23 team the following year, and since mid-2021 has focused exclusively on the A-national team.

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*This content was translated by AI.