Could Arsene Wenger Become The New Japan Manager?
A return to Asia could be on the cards.
Japan enjoyed what most would call a successful World Cup campaign in which they were written off from the start. On their way to advancing from the group stage they defeated Colombia, and in the last 16 gave the mighty Belgium the fright of their lives. This came just two months after sacking their manager Vahid Halilhozic. The Blue Samurai appointed 63 year old Akira Nishino on a temporary basis to oversee the World Cup campaign.
Now that the team has returned from Russia they are on the hunt for a new manager, and the Daily Mail reports that their number one target is none other than Arsene Wenger. This would not be the Frenchman's first time managing in Japan. Before being appointed Arsenal manager in 1996, Wenger spent time managing J-League side Nagoya Grampus Eight, leading them to a second place league finish, and winning both the Emperor's Cup and the Super Cup. This earned Wenger the J-League Manager of the Season award, and the adoration of the Japanese fans.
Now many years later, the former Monaco manager could be heading out to Asia again, taking the Japan job in what would be the 68 year old's first dabble into international management in his entire career.