ADVERTISEMENTS

Nielsen leaves as head coach of Japanese women's team, weeks after Asian Cup glory

Last month, Japan rounded off ‌a dominant Asian Cup campaign by ‌defeating tournament hosts Australia 1-0 in the final to win the continental title ‌for the third time in ⁠the last ‌four editions.

The team also booked their spot at ​the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil after reaching the ​semi-finals of the Asian Cup.

"Nils Nielsen, head coach of Nadeshiko Japan (the Japanese women's ⁠national team), ​stepped down upon the expiration of his contract," the JFA said in a brief statement.

Nielsen in 2024 became the ‌first foreign manager of the "Nadeshiko", replacing Futoshi Ikeda, who led Japan to the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup in 2023 as well as the last eight of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The 54-year-old served as the director of football for Manchester City's ‌women's team before joining Japan, and ​was the manager of the Swiss ‌women's team from 2018 to 2022.

He also coached the Danish women's side from 2013 to 2017, leading them to a runners-up finish at ⁠the Women's European ⁠Championship in ‌2017.

Anda mungkin juga tertarik