The Lineage
Team & Coaches
Every Japan boss of the modern era, from the first foreign manager to the men leading Samurai Blue now.
Japan's football history runs deep: the JFA was founded in 1921, the team reached the Berlin Olympics in 1936, and won Olympic bronze in Mexico City in 1968. But the modern chapter starts in 1992, when Hans Ooft became the first foreign boss and lifted Japan's first Asian Cup. Every manager since:
1992–93Hans OoftNetherlands🏆 Asian Cup 1992
Japan's first foreign boss. Won the 1992 Asian Cup on home soil, then lived the Agony of Doha: a 90th-minute equalizer by Iraq ended the 1994 World Cup dream.
1994Paulo Roberto FalcãoBrazil
The Brazil legend's stay lasted under a year, gone after the 1994 Asian Games.
1995–97Shu KamoJapan
Steadied the post-Doha rebuild, but was replaced mid-campaign during the rocky road to France 98.
1997–98Takeshi OkadaJapan
Promoted from assistant, won the Joy of Johor Bahru playoff against Iran, and took Japan to its first ever World Cup at France 98.
1998–2002Philippe TroussierFrance🏆 Asian Cup 2000
Rebuilt the team around the golden generation, won the 2000 Asian Cup, and reached the round of 16 as co-hosts at the 2002 World Cup.
2002–06ZicoBrazil🏆 Asian Cup 2004
The godfather of Japanese football won the 2004 Asian Cup in China in front of hostile crowds, but Germany 2006 ended in the group stage.
2006–07Ivica OsimBosnia and Herzegovina
Beloved for his one-liners and his running football. His tenure was cut short by a stroke in November 2007.
2007–10Takeshi OkadaJapan
Back for a second act: took Japan to the round of 16 at South Africa 2010, its first knockout run on foreign soil.
2010–14Alberto ZaccheroniItaly🏆 Asian Cup 2011
Won the 2011 Asian Cup with Tadanari Lee's famous volley in the final. Brazil 2014 ended early, but the era's football won hearts.
2014–15Javier AguirreMexico
Six months in charge. Dismissed in February 2015 after being named in a Spanish match-fixing case dating to his club days in La Liga.
2015–18Vahid HalilhodžićBosnia and Herzegovina
Qualified Japan for Russia 2018, then was sacked ten weeks before the tournament kicked off.
2018Akira NishinoJapan
The emergency boss. Took Japan to the round of 16 in Russia and came within minutes of the quarterfinals in the 3–2 Belgium heartbreak.
2018–2027Hajime MoriyasuJapanProfile →
The longest-serving boss of the modern era: two World Cups, wins over Germany and Spain, and the full ledger above. Leads Japan through the 2027 Asian Cup, then hands over.
Confirmed as Moriyasu's successor (July 2026). Takes charge from the March 2027 window after building the Olympic generation as U-23 boss: back-to-back U-23 Asian Cup titles and the 2018 AFC Champions League with Kashima.
Sources: RSSSF Japan coach archive · Wikipedia