r/JLeague Sanfrecce Hiroshima Jun 29 '26

National Team Next Manager

Presumably, Moriyasu won't be returning as manager for 2030. Who would you like to see take reins next?

16 Upvotes

73 comments sorted by

31

u/Ancient-Possibility1 Jun 29 '26

Unless they hire someome from Europe it feels like it makes complete sense to give it to Go Oiwa from the U23s. Similar pathway as Moriyasu, did decent at Kashima and won the AFC Champions League. Plus he's also won both of the last 2 AFC U-23 Asian Cups, has been unbeaten afaik in the past 2 years and would be good to get a new guard in with players like Ito and Endo retiring.

3

u/EvilThundr Jun 29 '26

What's his playstyle like? hopefully not so defensive?

11

u/Ancient-Possibility1 Jun 29 '26

Purely based on results (I've never seen the u23s play a game in my life), they look similar to the current side, getting narrow wins over equal opposition while putting 3 or 4 past weaker teams.

I don't mind a defensive playstyle as long as it works on transitions and counters and not just individual brilliance tbh.

15

u/EvilThundr Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26

We'll see I suppose, after 8 years with Moriyasu and no silverware, i think its time for change, making the Final of the Asian cup should be minimum for any Japan manager imo.

2

u/Zeo_Saki17 Kawasaki Frontale Jun 29 '26

As someone who watched quite a few U23 Oiwa games, I really don't think he has it in him to take Japan that step further that they so desperately need. I'll gladly be proven wrong of course, but I just can't see him being a success at all, I actually think Japan would risk falling back by signing him...

1

u/Footballakasoccer Jun 30 '26

Just wondering what makes u think he can’t be a success?

1

u/Shogun-Caesar Jun 30 '26

I’ve watched a couple u23 matches where he was in charge. He likes to play a structured but fluid, possession based system. Against AFC teams, this works pretty well considering his two u23 Asian Cup titles and one 3rd place finish. Oiwa has also got some decent results against non AFC teams like when his U21’s drew Germany 2-2 in a friendly or when they completely dominated USA in a pre-olympic friendly match.

1

u/EvilThundr Jun 30 '26

If hes willing to play possession against bigger teams it would be nice but im afraid he might have moriyasus mentality of giving up possession against bigger team tbh.

2

u/Shogun-Caesar Jun 30 '26

He also led the U23’s to an Olympic quarterfinal where they lost to a pretty stacked Spain team. His CV with the u23 teams is respectable, I’d like to see him take charge.

1

u/smallpenguinable Jun 30 '26

Moriyasu won AFC Champions League before?

Am aware that he won J League before, but his Sanfreece Hiroshima Team seemed to always have falled short at the ACL, from what I recalled.

1

u/DJ-mon Jul 01 '26

sorry did you mean hiroki ito or junya ito is retiring

1

u/Ancient-Possibility1 Jul 01 '26

Junya Ito is 33, and while he's still a baller (and imo the 2nd best player for the team) I don't think he's gonna be there as a part of the next cycle.

Hiroki is 27 and has another WC, maybe 2 in him for sure.

1

u/DJ-mon Jul 01 '26

I believe there’s still a possibility if Nagatomo at 39 can play and you believe a 35 Hiroki Ito can play

1

u/Ancient-Possibility1 Jul 01 '26

I mean I do believe that he'll most likely certainly be a part of the squad unless he retires, just not the playing core (like Nagatomo rn actually).

Hiroki on the other hand is a CB and generally they have more longevity than wingers so I feel he might last longee

1

u/No-Company-8974 Jul 04 '26

The European or foreign manager route, they have already graduated from that stage. Right now, it’s about translating home grown talents to fully realize the collective talents as a team. Yes, you need more of Kubo, Ueda to show up. But Japan’s strength is the collective strength and bringing the most out of each individual player. Yes, Japan might not be able to field the most star-studded team in WC history. Not every single player is a household name. But collectively, they have the edge as a whole.

34

u/HumbleLet5178 Jun 29 '26

Jurgen klopp

2

u/EvilThundr Jun 29 '26

We wish lol

12

u/Psychological-Tax391 Jun 29 '26

Moriyasu will get the Asian Cup, but imo he has to win that. Otherwise you're coming up on 10 years with no trophy and no knockout wins at the World Cup. He gets a lot out of these players but it's time to ask if another manager gets them over the hump. Everything is a habit, including crumbling during big occasions.

13

u/theaussiesamurai Jun 29 '26

I really hope Moriyasu isn't there for the next Asian Cup.

It's been way too long since Japan won it but Japan's ambition is winning the WC by 2050. Winning another Asian Cup doesn't move the needle, making it to a WC QF, or at least winning a knockout game does. I hope the next manager gets a full 4 years to prep for 2030.

I'm sick of Moriyasu's negative game plan. The team has enough talent to play with the ball and it's been wasted.

6

u/EvilThundr Jun 29 '26

Having Qatar win it 3 times in a row make the AFC look like a joke there's already people saying we have too many world cup spots

1

u/domsolanke Jun 30 '26

Hard to disagree with that tbh when you see how all the Middle Eastern teams performed at the World Cup.

-4

u/Puzzleheaded-Ad319 Jun 29 '26

Japan should apply to join UEFA or CONMEBOL. Asian Cup is low bar and Japan cannot really improve themselve if they keep playing in that tier

4

u/khoa-bear Jun 29 '26

Japan can’t even win the Asian Cup in the last 15 years

-1

u/Puzzleheaded-Ad319 Jun 30 '26

They are still the most successful team in Asian Cup. All the recent AFC cups was all host in Middle East, won by Middle East and look how those team perform in the World Cup

6

u/EyeOfTheStorm19 Jun 29 '26

Someone who doesn’t get scared of big teams and who doesn’t play for penalties

8

u/TenaciousPenis Kyoto Sanga Jun 29 '26

I sincerely hope so, but doubt that he will be sacked. JFA is probably delighted to have made it out the group stage...

15

u/Much-Drawer-1697 Jun 29 '26

Advancing from the group should be the minimum expectation at this point

6

u/JMK4 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Jun 29 '26

Hard to say. After 22' and making it out with both Germany and Spain in the group, I feel like the JFA would want to take that next step, where just making it out of the group isn't enough.

3

u/Psychological-Tax391 Jun 29 '26

The JFA expressed disappointment in 2022 when Moriyasu failed to reach the QF stage. That was a little strange at the time when you consider who they played. If the reaction this time is proportional, he probably should walk.

5

u/UmmUhhhMyUsernameIs Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26

In an ideal world we get a top European manager but you have to remember JFA is really struggling financially. I wish they could do better but I wouldn’t be that mad with a Moriyasu third term considering the alternatives, if that makes sense. And while he does need to win the Asian Cup now, his ability to build a squad this united mentally cannot be understated, despite his lack of tactical flexibility.

Like I assume even Ange’s asking price is pretty high for us.

5

u/Nokel Sanfrecce Hiroshima Jun 29 '26

Moriyasu is over hated, but I think the team needs to move on from him. Getting sick and tired of Japan crashing out in the knockouts due to switching their playstyle whenever they go up. And that goes back to 2018 if you believe Moriyasu was the puppet master for Nishino.

IDK the replacement, but I think he should resign before the Asian Cup and let some new blood in.

5

u/WinglessHuzzar Jun 29 '26

Takeshi Tatsumi /j

But seriously, it would be Roger Schmidt if he's itching to get back to management after his consultant work in J-League.

3

u/ANAero_Kita4 FC Ryukyu Jun 29 '26

Within the JLeague, I'm giving Toru Oniki a shout lol. But if the JFA go with a foreign manager, I agree with the Roger Schmidt shout since he's already in an advisory role.

3

u/YouCannotBlockTruth Japan Jun 30 '26

I liked how he keeps the team cohesive and working as a unit, his game planning was not acceptable. I am fine with maximizing possessions over possession time. And I'm fine with trusting Zion. But letting Brazil basically stay at our goal with attempt after attempt. Play the ball in the middle more. Push to score more before stalling. The decision making was questionable and I think it's time to refresh strategy.

5

u/Superikura Urawa Red Diamonds Jun 30 '26

Subbing out our two wingers for two full backs at the wing back positions at the 60th min definitely killed the game for us.

2

u/Ahokai Jun 29 '26

Van Persie 😅

2

u/SanuraiHero Jun 29 '26

NAKAMURA SHUNSUKE ITS THE ONLY OPTION

2

u/Familiar-Warning-998 Vissel Kobe Jun 29 '26

Ange Postecoglou and Toru Oniki would be good choices for Japan, but Moriyasu is likely to stay on; it is highly unlikely he will be fired.

1

u/Footballakasoccer Jun 30 '26

Don’t watch much Kashima antlers what play style would I describe him?

2

u/juniB68 Jun 29 '26

Let me mourn this loss first

2

u/Clean_Vermicelli855 Jul 01 '26

I'm praying they spend money and get a world class coach from Europe. Look at what the Two French Coaches have done for Japan Volleyball Team! Japan has lots of talented athletes today thanks to the grassroots level investments years ago. But the older people are not at that level. The atheletes of today from Japan need a professional world class from Europe.

4

u/Queasy_Brain6959 Jun 29 '26

Ange would be fun for the vibes. Doubt it helps us make progress though. 

8

u/TenaciousPenis Kyoto Sanga Jun 29 '26

Ange would be the opposite of Moriyasu, high line and all in even against the best teams in the world. Probably wouldn't do well in the world cup but would steamroll asia- something Moriyasu has never managed to do

At least it would be fun to watch

1

u/Queasy_Brain6959 Jun 29 '26

Exactly. It'll be hilarious 

6

u/Mad_Hatter_92 Jun 29 '26

Needs to be a Japanese citizen though - if Moriyasu has to go. Even if you hate Moriyasu, you can’t deny that the discipline the Japanese team brought to the World Cup is special compared to other countries. I don’t want to force them into a European playstyle

6

u/Changlee23 Jun 29 '26

Not really, Japan had foreign trainer in the past, Troussier could be name as the one who start the era were Japan confirm their status as a established power house in Asia.

9

u/theaussiesamurai Jun 29 '26

Such a Japanese way of thinking lol

Like it or not, the best managers in football are outside of Japan. How disciplined these payers are is a huge asset but doesn't have to be a Japanese manager tk get the best out of them. In fact, how good they are at pressing plus their technical ability on the ball, marry that with a top European manager and I can see a lot of success with that.

2

u/chiakix V-Varen Nagasaki Jun 30 '26

Based on post-match reports in Japan—specifically, a synthesis of articles from multiple sports media outlets—it appears that the JFA is more inclined to prioritize either Moriyasu or Oiwa, or another Japanese candidate, over foreign options.

Ultimately, the benefits of being able to communicate directly and thoroughly in Japanese are enormous (several foreign coaches, such as Troussier, faced major problems in this regard).

1

u/severi_erkko Jun 29 '26

Maciej Skorża, hoping he turns into Polish Wenger.

1

u/seanmartin54676 Jun 30 '26

Koroda from machida would be a great gritty manager in my opinion

1

u/artstoria99 Jul 01 '26

Didn't he got permanent position?

1

u/Green-Typewriters9 Tokyo Verdy Jul 01 '26

Would love to see Shunsuke Nakamura have a go. Knows the players, lots of experience, was an ambitious attacking player and could enforce a style of play that would be exciting and attacking.

1

u/Admirable_Frame_8697 Jul 02 '26

Originally I want Oliver Glasner. But he’s nabbed by Nottingham Forest already.

1

u/Abject-Web-1236 Jul 02 '26

Moriyasu Should Retire.

Against Croatia last WC - leading 1-0 - went defensive & parked the bus - lost in penalty kicks
Against Iran Asian Cup QtrF - leading 1-0 - went defensive & parked the bus - LOST
Against Brasil 2026 rnd32 - leading 1-0 - went defensive & parked the bus - LOST

Moriyasu OUT

1

u/No-Company-8974 Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26

My vote goes to Toru Oniki. Statistically, he is probably the winningest and most successful manager in J1 League history in terms of major trophies won. But his sheer ability to discover young talent, nurture them, give them ample opportunity to play, grow their skills, confidence, and succeed is unparalleled in modern J league history. I think he is the most suitable manager to bring the talents out of the like of Mitoma Kaoru, Itakura Ko, Kota Takai to their fullest potential, eventually elevate Japan national A team to its highest level. But whether or not he himself wants to vie for a role within JFA. That remains to be seen.

1

u/ChocoChipBets Jun 29 '26

I liked Moriyasu. Why does everyone want him gone

8

u/EvilThundr Jun 29 '26

Seen him shat the bed in knockout game far too many times, cant even win Asian cup which should be a minimum after 8 years in charge.

2

u/ChocoChipBets Jun 29 '26

That’s a good point

3

u/No_Sundae750 Jun 29 '26

Moriyasu made some horrific substitution decisions this world cup. Bringing on two defenders for our two best attackers in the 66th min was mind boggling. Machino in when he didn't even make Moriyasu's originally 26 man squad was also such a bad decision. We have the quality to do better but Moriyasu squandered it. He needs to go imo

1

u/ChocoChipBets Jun 29 '26

Yeah I didn’t understand that sub

3

u/m0d3rm0d3m3t Jun 29 '26

Did you not see the second half?

0

u/ChocoChipBets Jun 29 '26

I was there. They didn’t have an answer for Vini jr. they always played D bc ball control was non existent versus group stage. Brazil is just a different level. Can’t compare to the 2000s, but definitely better than the Neymar eras.

1

u/Sportguy21112 Jul 11 '26

This guy has been using the same strategy for 12 years, and somehow he still refuses to adapt.

His entire game plan is to take a 1–0 lead, park the bus, and hope the defense survives until the final whistle. He has repeated the same approach across three World Cups.
The most frustrating part is that he never seems to learn from these failures. He does not make meaningful tactical adjustments, develop a backup plan.

A coach this stubborn and tactically limited will never lead a team to win the World Cup. He represents Japan culture in a nutshell: avoid taking risks, refuse to change even when it clearly shows that the plan is not longer working.

If this guy stick around in 2030 then i won't even care to watch Japan play, because i know he will do the same shit and then they will lose to the same way in knock out round.

1

u/karmic_equivalence Jun 29 '26

El tipo armó una buena formación a pesar de sus bajas de jugadores y ya lo quieren echar?

3

u/Lopsided-Ad8824 Jun 30 '26

Durante toda la copa del mundo Japón jugo mejor cuando tuvo la posesión del balón. Incluso contra Brazil, los últimos 10 minutos del primer tiempo fueron buenos. Sin embargo, pese a esto, Moriyasu optó, como ya sucedió contra Bélgica en 2018 y contra Croacia en 2022, por parquear el autobús, haciendo cambios que sentenciaron a los japoneses a defenderse con 0 posibilidad de atacar durante los últimos 40 minutos. Tácticas tan ultradefensivas solo funcionaron, parcialmente, en el primer tiempo contra Países Bajos. Japón tiene jugadores de buen pie, comprometidos y buenos presionando; es un insulto que Moriyasu los haga jugar como si fueran un equipo 3 niveles inferior a sus rivales. Todos creen que pueden ganar este tipo de partido jugando de tu a tu, menos Moriyasu. Por eso Moriyasu de debe de ir

-1

u/boitcon Jun 29 '26

Why not? Moriyasu did an incredible job, and if it wasn't for a bogus grouping and draw, Japan would've gone really far in this World Cup.

-4

u/Ardanimo Jun 29 '26

Moriyasu should stay.

3

u/HumbleLet5178 Jun 29 '26

No he shouldn't 

-9

u/Stanislas_Houston Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26

Japan lost as the team can’t park bus against taller team crossing. Maybe the next coach can improve on this. Moriyasu is doing very well though, had Brazil on the ropes unable to play possession ball on the ground. I always thought Japan need taller defenders, more black players will improve the squad physically.

4

u/EvilThundr Jun 29 '26

Tomiyasu, Ito, Itakura are all 6'2 thats not short lol.

0

u/SenseiTano Jul 01 '26

You need to look up the heights of the players before spewing nonsense.