The Departure of Futoshi Ikeda as Nadeshiko Head Coach
After an almost three-year tenure, Futoshi Ikeda, the head coach of Japan’s women’s soccer team, will be stepping down from his position as his contract comes to an end this month. During his leadership, Ikeda successfully guided the team to the quarter-finals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Paris 2024 Olympics. He assumed the role in October 2021, subsequent to Japan’s triumph at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Under Ikeda’s stewardship, the team secured successful qualification for both the previous FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Paris 2024 Olympics. The team’s notable achievements also include a quarter-final finish at Australia & New Zealand 2023, where they were defeated by Sweden and later eliminated by the USA at the same stage in the recently completed Paris Games.
In a formal statement, the departing coach expressed gratitude towards the players and staff, along with his hopes for the continued development of the Japanese team. He articulated, “I feel that the team has grown stronger through competing at various international tournaments, including the World Cup and the Olympics. I wanted to be there with the players to witness the future’s potential.” The President of the Japan Football Association (JFA), Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, also extended thanks to Ikeda for his time in charge, stating, “At the Paris Olympics, unfortunately, we lost in extra-time to the eventual winners in the USA, but coach Ikeda managed to bring the squad together, and I hope that the players who flourished under his guidance will continue to thrive.”
Norio Sasaki, the head of the JFA’s Women’s Committee, emphasized the urgency of finding a qualified successor, noting, “Even though we have reached the quarter-finals of these past two tournaments, we aspire to achieve higher and aim for at least the semi-finals. Therefore, it’s imperative to find someone to lead the team who is well-versed in aspects of Japanese football and possesses additional expertise.”
The search for a new head coach will commence immediately and will be a meticulous process. Japan Football Association is actively seeking an individual capable of elevating the team’s performance in international competition. Meanwhile, Japan’s women’s soccer team is scheduled to engage in a friendly match in October, with the opponent yet to be announced.
The appointment of the next head coach of the Japanese women’s team and the way in which they will build on the foundation laid by Futoshi Ikeda will be of great interest. The future of Nadeshiko appears promising, and enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the team’s ongoing growth and success on the international stage.
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