According to Japanese media reports, Hajime Moriyasu will step down as Japan U23 manager, with Toru Oniki being considered as one of his potential successors.
Following Japan U23’s 0-3 defeat to Spain U23 in the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics, the team has no scheduled matches this year. The next competition for this age group will be the 2026 U23 Asian Cup. It has been reported that the Japan Football Association has already begun preliminary selection for the national team manager for the next Olympic cycle. The JFA has a tradition of appointing outstanding domestic coaches to lead the Olympic team. Moriyasu, who led Sanfrecce Hiroshima to three J-League titles, previously led Japan U23 to the Tokyo Olympics. Hajime Moriyasu, who led Kashima Antlers to the AFC Champions League title in 2018, was the manager who led the team in Paris.
The JFA has set its sights on Toru Oniki, the current manager of Kawasaki Frontale. Oniki has led Kawasaki Frontale to four J-League titles, one Emperor’s Cup title, one J-League Cup title, and three Japanese Super Cup titles. Players like Kaoru Mitoma, Hidemasa Morita, and Ao Tanaka who played under him have become established members of the Japan national team.
The current Japan U19 national team, led by Yuzuru Funakoshi, is eligible to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The current goal of the Japan U19 team is to qualify for the upcoming U20 World Cup. In addition to Oniki, Funakoshi is also a candidate.
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