'A string of shocks': Japanese football, Hajime Moriyasu '6-month extension' confirmed → Contract to end even if Asian Cup title is won

*This content was translated by AI.

It is truly a string of shocks. Hajime Moriyasu (58), the coach who led the Japan national team to back-to-back World Cup group stage qualifications, has reportedly accepted the '6-month short-term contract' proposed by the Japan Football Association. However, even if they win the Asian Cup in January next year under the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), he will step down without any contract extension.

Nikkan Sports reported on the 9th, citing multiple association sources, that Moriyasu accepted the request from the Japan Football Association to continue leading the national team until the Asian Cup in January next year. The Asian Cup is scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5 next year. In terms of contract duration, it amounts to just six months. The media described this as an "unprecedented case."

Nikkan Sports stated, "It has been confirmed through multiple association sources that Toneyasu Miyamoto, president of the Japan Football Association, requested Moriyasu to remain until the Asian Cup next year, and Moriyasu accepted," adding, "Inside the association, there is a sense of relief that Moriyasu did not refuse the (6-month short-term contract) request."

Moriyasu first took charge of the Japan national team in 2018 and led it for a full eight years. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he caused a major upset by defeating Spain and Germany in the tournament proper, leading the team to the Round of 16. Ahead of this North American World Cup, he was considered the top dark horse after defeating Brazil last year and England this year in friendly matches, also guiding Japan to the tournament knockout stage. However, they were eliminated after losing to Brazil in the Round of 32.

At the time of reaching the North American World Cup knockout stage, there was even talk of extending his contract by four more years to create a '12-year long-term leadership system,' but this sentiment strangely shifted after elimination from the Round of 32. Reports continued that the Japan Football Association would propose only a one-year short-term contract until the Asian Cup in January next year. Locals viewed even this plan as unprecedented, and expressed doubts about whether Moriyasu would accept it. For Moriyasu, who led the Japan national team for eight years, this was a proposal worthy of being perceived as humiliating.

However, Moriyasu received an extension offer for just six months—shorter than initially reported—and even accepted it. Moreover, there is no conditional contract extension tied to winning the Asian Cup. The Japan Football Association's push for Moriyasu's short-term contract stems from their strong desire to reclaim the Asian Cup title, which they have not won since 2011. Yet, even if Moriyasu leads Japan to an Asian Cup victory, the plan is to appoint a new head coach.

Nikkan Sports added, "The Japan Football Association plans not to extend Moriyasu's contract even if he leads the team to an Asian Cup title. It is understood that they have decided to have a new coach lead the national team starting from A-match fixtures in March next year." The report continued, "However, the Japan national team will play up to 13 matches: four consecutive A-match friendlies in September and October next year, two away friendly matches in November, and potentially seven more matches if they reach the Asian Cup final. Criticism and concerns may arise over whether it is appropriate to entrust these crucial matches to a coach who is about to step down." The contract between the Japan Football Association and Moriyasu is expected to be finalized after an executive board meeting as early as the 23rd of this month.

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*This content was translated by AI.