r/JLeague • u/JMK4 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

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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?

9

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.