KUALA LUMPUR: Expect Japan's vaunted coach, Hajime Moriyasu, to head to Europe instead of Malaysia, said a local football agent.
Recently, the FA of Malaysia was speculated to be eyeing the 58-year-old for the job of leading Harimau Malaya for the 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign.
However, the football agent, who is also linked to a Japanese agency, has poured cold water on the talk, indicating Moriyasu's ambitions point towards European club football, once his tenure with the Samurai Blue concludes on Feb 28, 2027.
"I know this rumour, but I think he will go to Europe," said agent who declined to be named.
According to Japanese media, Moriyasu, who famously guided his country to triumphs over Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup, aims to be the first Japanese coach to manage a European club.
Japanese media outlets Nikkan Gendai and Sakanowa reported that managing another national team, particularly in Southeast Asia, is not Moriyasu's cup of tea as he favours the day-to-day involvement of club management over international duties.
FAM would also need to consider the financial realities if it were to hire him. Moriyasu commands an annual salary estimated at over RM10 million, an outlay that would stretch the national body's resources.
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