Javier Aguirre named Japan coach

Mexican takes over for Zaccheroni as a result of World Cup flop.

TOKYO:

Mexican Javier Aguirre was appointed Japan’s new football coach on Thursday after the team’s World Cup flop prompted the resignation of Alberto Zaccheroni.

Japan Football Association (JFA) technical director Hiromi Hara told reporters: “We have agreed on terms and the executive board have approved his appointment.”

The 55-year-old Aguirre, who led Mexico to the last 16 of the World Cup in 2002 and 2010, is reportedly set to earn around $2.45 million a year. The former Espanyol manager is expected to arrive in Japan in the coming days and get his first taste of life in the hot seat with home friendlies against Uruguay on September 5 and Venezuela on September 9.

Italian Zaccheroni stepped down after Japan’s meek exit from the World Cup, where they were beaten by Ivory Coast, held to a goalless draw by a 10-man Greece and thumped 4-1 by Colombia.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2014.

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