'It's different from Korea': Japan has already narrowed down six candidates for the next head coach... From J-League legends to 'rookie coaches' Honda and Hasebe, a 'radical' lineup emerges

*This content was translated by AI.

With the future of Hajime Moriyasu (57) as head coach of the Japanese national team uncertain, six candidates for the next commander have been discussed in Japan. Unlike South Korea, where even the pool of potential successors remains unclear, Japan is moving quickly to take the next step, drawing attention.

On the 9th, 'Football Channel' Japan published an article titled "Who will be next? Six candidates for the new Japanese national team head coach," analyzing the potential candidates. The outlet listed Kentaro Hasegawa (60), Toru Oniki (52), Takashi Oiwai (54), Hiroshi Nanami (53), Keisuke Honda (40), and Makoto Hasebe (42) as the six candidates.

First mentioned was former coach Kentaro Hasegawa, who boasts a top-tier J-League career, including leading Gamba Osaka to a treble in 2014. The outlet stated, "He excels at drawing out players' potential, but it is also clear that he has the drawback of relying too much on individual skills of specific players."

Toru Oniki, a strong contender for the head coach position at Kashima Antlers. During his eight seasons with Kawasaki Frontale, he collected seven championship trophies and is an exceptional tactician who won the J1 League in his first year at Kashima in 2025. The outlet added, "The key will be whether he can implant detailed tactics within a short period even for national teams with brief training camps."

Takashi Oiwai, who led the Japan U-23 national team, is considered an attractive card. The outlet noted, "He achieved back-to-back titles at the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, and his greatest asset is his deep understanding of young players who will become key figures in the upcoming generation transition."

Regarding Hiroshi Nanami, coach of the Japan U-23 national team, the outlet said, "He is the person best suited to inherit Coach Moriyasu's style of football. While his record as a club head coach was disappointing, if you seek tactical consistency and a stable system transition for the U-23 team, he is the most realistic alternative."

Rumors of Keisuke Honda taking over represent the most radical scenario. The outlet explained, "Having previously coached the Cambodia national team, he recently expressed strong determination via social media by saying, 'Give me one year.' However, lacking a top-tier (Pro) coaching license, there are significant institutional barriers to him immediately taking charge."

As for former Japan national team captain Makoto Hasebe, the outlet stated, "He is classified as a long-term asset for the future. His leadership and tactical insight, honed during his long tenure at Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, are unparalleled; however, with no experience as an adult head coach, he is currently evaluated more as a suitable leader for the next generation rather than an immediate choice."

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*This content was translated by AI.