KUALA LUMPUR: Japanese football media have dismissed the prospect of Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu taking charge of Harimau Malaya, with reports suggesting the 58-year-old has his sights set on managing a European club.
The speculation, which originated from Vietnamese media before spreading across regional outlets, suggested the FA of Malaysia (FAM) was preparing to pursue Moriyasu to lead the national team's 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign.
However, reports in Japan have cast doubt on the claims, saying his plans after leaving the national team point towards club football rather than another international coaching job.
Japanese daily reported that Moriyasu, who has led Japan for nearly a decade, has little interest in taking charge of another national team, particularly outside the world's leading football nations.
"Rather than a national team that gathers a few times a year for a quick match and disperses, coaching a single club where you train together daily and experience the players' direct growth fits (his) personality much better," Nikkan Gendai reported, citing sources familiar with his views on management.
The report added that Moriyasu, who guided Japan to memorable World Cup victories over Germany and Spain in 2022, hopes to become the first Japanese coach to manage a European club.
"Moriyasu's lifelong ambition post-Asian Cup is to become the first Japanese manager to take charge of a European club," the report said.
It added that managing a leading club in Japan's J1 League remained another option when his contract with the Japan Football Association (JFA) ends on Feb 28, 2027.
Another Japanese football outlet also expressed doubt about the reported Malaysian interest, saying a move to Southeast Asia wouldn't fit Moriyasu's career plans.
"Japanese football circles consider the prospect of him moving to another Southeast Asian national team as completely contradictory to his actual career path," Sakanowa reported.
The reports come as the government calls for financial prudence in the search for Malaysia's next permanent head coach.
Meanwhile, interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe has strengthened his position after taking charge following Peter Cklamovski's departure for Salford City.
Cheng Hoe guided Malaysia to an unbeaten bronze-medal finish at the inaugural FIFA Asean Cup, which included a historic 1-0 win over Vietnam that ended a 12-year wait for a competitive victory over their regional rivals.
FAM president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan has said the federation studied the technical approaches of established football nations, including Japan, but has not entered negotiations with high-profile foreign candidates.
"No final decision has been made yet," Ghani reportedly said.
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