Japan to consider a ‘native’ to succeed Zico

April 18th, 2006 | by: ShiLou | Comments Off

Japan are considering appointing native Akira Nishimo to replace Zico after the World Cup. Even though, Japan Federation boss Saburo Kawabuchi is not mentioning anything at the moment, all signs are that the Gamba Osaka coach looks favourites to succeed Brazil legend when he departs the Japanese coaching position come July.

So who exactly is Akira Nishimo?

Well he is Japanese for sure and he coaches local team Gamba Osaka. He has been successful with Gamba Osaka leading them to the J.League title last season. And he also coached the Japanese Olympic team in Atlanta where his team beat Brazil. His Gamba Osaka team are currently second this time around just behind Urawa Reds. And to top it all of, he will be the first J.League coach to lead a team into the knockout stages of the Asian Champions League after his team beat China’s Dalian Shide 3-0 in their Group E match Wednesday.

Nishimo was a ex forward so he will know a thing or two about strikers. And thats a department that is causing current coach Zico sleepless nights.

And the man is not afraid to rock the boat either having left out Gamba club captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto from his starting lineup because his commitments as national team captain were proving disruptive.

So the guy has all the credentials to succeed Zico but first things first is the matter of the World Cup in Germany.