HOUSTON - The Japan Football Association is looking to ask Hajime Moriyasu to stay on as manager after the national team were eliminated in the round of 32 at the ongoing World Cup, its president said Wednesday.
Tsuneyasu Miyamoto told reporters that while no official steps have been taken yet, "We would have to make preparations to that end."
The 57-year-old Moriyasu has been at the helm of the Samurai Blue since 2018, leading Japan at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
In the quadrennial tournament this year, Japan finished second in Group F with one win and two draws before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Monday in the round of 32 in Houston, falling short of securing Japan's first-ever knockout-stage victory.
During an association meeting on Wednesday, many participants commented positively about Japan's performance, according to an association official.
The team is set to return home on Thursday, and Moriyasu will hold a news conference to sum up Japan's World Cup run.
