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last mo.

Japan Parts With Coach Nils Nielsen Days After Asian Cup Title

JFA leaders say communication problems drove the change.

Japan coach Nils Nielsen is seen before the international friendly Brazil v Japan at Estadio Cicero de Souza Marques, Braganca Paulista, Brazil - June 2, 2025 REUTERS/Jean Carniel/File Photo
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Nils Nielsen was not offered a new contract after leading Japan to the Women's Asian Cup title
Nils Nielsen led Japan to the Women's Asian Cup title in March

Overview

  • The Japan Football Association, which announced Thursday that coach Nils Nielsen stepped down when his contract expired, put Michihisa Kano in interim charge for April games against the United States.
  • Team director Norio Sasaki said the federation declined to offer a new deal and called Nielsen's coaching too soft, arguing Japan could not win next year's World Cup under him.
  • Officials and analysts pointed to communication and cultural gaps inside the camp, and Sasaki said assistant Kano took on more training duties after a poor run late last year.
  • Nielsen, the first foreign coach of the Nadeshiko, departed with a 12-4-4 record and an Asian Cup run that produced 29 goals scored and only one conceded.
  • Sasaki signaled the next permanent coach will likely be Japanese, while Kano leads three USWNT friendlies in San Jose, Seattle, and Commerce City that offer an immediate audition.