The Japan Football Association have confirmed the appointment of Takeshi Okada as the new coach of the national team.
Okada replaces Ivica Osim, who has been in hospital for the last month after suffering a stroke, and was selected following a meeting of the JFA managing directors on Monday.
His appointment will be finalised at a JFA executive board meeting in Tokyo on Friday.
The 51-year-old returns to the position for the first time in nine years after coaching Japan in the 1998 World Cup.
Okada also led J. League club Yokohama F. Marinos to the domestic title in 2004.
His first game in charge will be the friendly against Chile on January 26 followed by another against Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later.
Japan will then tackle Thailand on February 6 in a World Cup qualifier.
His appointment will be finalised at a JFA executive board meeting in Tokyo on Friday.
The 51-year-old returns to the position for the first time in nine years after coaching Japan in the 1998 World Cup.
Okada also led J. League club Yokohama F. Marinos to the domestic title in 2004.
His first game in charge will be the friendly against Chile on January 26 followed by another against Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later.
Japan will then tackle Thailand on February 6 in a World Cup qualifier.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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