JFA says Nishino will not return as Japan’s coach

JFA says Nishino will not return as Japan’s coach

By Associated Press

Published: 06:58 BST, 5 July 2018 | Updated: 06:58 BST, 5 July 2018

TOKYO (AP) – The Japan Football Association says Akira Nishino will not continue as coach of the national team when his term ends at the end of July.

JFA president Kozo Teshima told a media conference Thursday: “We (the JFA) will not persuade Nishino to stay on the job as his term comes to an end.”

Japan’s squad returned home on Thursday following its round-of-16 defeat to Belgium at the World Cup in Russia.

Japanese soccer team coach Akira Nishino speaks during a press conference upon his team’s return from the World Cup in Russia, at a hotel in Narita, near Tokyo, Thursday, July 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

The 63-year-old Nishino took over just two months before the World Cup following the surprise dismissal of Vahid Halilhodzic.

Exceeding expectations, Nishino led Japan to its first appearance in the knockout stage since the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

In April, the JFA said Nishino would manage the team until the end of the tournament.

Japanese soccer team coach Akira Nishino, right, speaks as captain Makoto Hasebe smiles during a press conference upon their team’s return from the World Cup in Russia, at a hotel in Narita, near Tokyo, Thursday, July 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

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