Toke-E-Yo
12-02-2005, 02:35 AM
Japan still have Wenger on their mind
December 1, 2005
TOKYO (AFP) - Japan's football chief plans to watch Arsenal play this weekend even though Japanese dreams of acquiring the Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger for their 2010 World Cup campaign look increasingly bleak.
Japanese Football Association president Saburo Kawabuchi is scheduled to watch Arsenal's away match against Bolton on Saturday, an FA official confirmed Thursday.
But Wenger, 56, has insisted he is committed to the English Premiership club until his current contract expires in 2008.
ADVERTISEMENT
The FA official said Kawabuchi's England trip will be just "part of his mission to inspect active Japanese players in European leagues".
"I am not aware of any plan by the president to meet him (Wenger)," he said.
Japan's star international Hidetoshi Nakata has been playing a major role in Bolton's midfield since his 12-month loan transfer from Italy's Fiorentina last August.
Kawabuchi recently said Japan may consider asking the Frenchman to guide their national team -- if his salary can be lowered.
"I wonder if I may be able to meet Wenger," Kawabuchi quipped last week as he commented about his trip, according to the Sports Hochi and Nikkain Sports dailies.
Japan coach Zico is set to step down after the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. Japan hope to secure the Brazilian legend's replacement on a long-term basis as soon as possible.
Wenger, who guided unfancied J-League side Nagoya Grampus Eight to the Emperor's Cup victory in 1996 before signing up with Arsenal the following year, is seen as one of candidates for the job.
"Wenger once said that he wanted to spend the final years of his coaching career in Japan," Kawabuchi was quoted as saying.
"But we cannot afford to pay him what he earns now as his annual salary. We cannot pay 400 or 500 million yen (3.3 or 4.2 million dollars)."
Wenger was asked just after the 1998 World Cup finals to coach Japan in their 2002 World Cup campaign, but he declined as his contract with Arsenal had been just renewed.
In 2000, Japan made another offer to Wenger when the then coach, fellow Frenchman Philippe Troussier, was under pressure to resign. Troussier kept the job and led Japan to the last-16 round in the 2002 World Cup, their best ever result.
GIVE HIM TO US! :mad2:
I know it would effect the Gunners, but still!
December 1, 2005
TOKYO (AFP) - Japan's football chief plans to watch Arsenal play this weekend even though Japanese dreams of acquiring the Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger for their 2010 World Cup campaign look increasingly bleak.
Japanese Football Association president Saburo Kawabuchi is scheduled to watch Arsenal's away match against Bolton on Saturday, an FA official confirmed Thursday.
But Wenger, 56, has insisted he is committed to the English Premiership club until his current contract expires in 2008.
ADVERTISEMENT
The FA official said Kawabuchi's England trip will be just "part of his mission to inspect active Japanese players in European leagues".
"I am not aware of any plan by the president to meet him (Wenger)," he said.
Japan's star international Hidetoshi Nakata has been playing a major role in Bolton's midfield since his 12-month loan transfer from Italy's Fiorentina last August.
Kawabuchi recently said Japan may consider asking the Frenchman to guide their national team -- if his salary can be lowered.
"I wonder if I may be able to meet Wenger," Kawabuchi quipped last week as he commented about his trip, according to the Sports Hochi and Nikkain Sports dailies.
Japan coach Zico is set to step down after the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. Japan hope to secure the Brazilian legend's replacement on a long-term basis as soon as possible.
Wenger, who guided unfancied J-League side Nagoya Grampus Eight to the Emperor's Cup victory in 1996 before signing up with Arsenal the following year, is seen as one of candidates for the job.
"Wenger once said that he wanted to spend the final years of his coaching career in Japan," Kawabuchi was quoted as saying.
"But we cannot afford to pay him what he earns now as his annual salary. We cannot pay 400 or 500 million yen (3.3 or 4.2 million dollars)."
Wenger was asked just after the 1998 World Cup finals to coach Japan in their 2002 World Cup campaign, but he declined as his contract with Arsenal had been just renewed.
In 2000, Japan made another offer to Wenger when the then coach, fellow Frenchman Philippe Troussier, was under pressure to resign. Troussier kept the job and led Japan to the last-16 round in the 2002 World Cup, their best ever result.
GIVE HIM TO US! :mad2:
I know it would effect the Gunners, but still!