Ange opts for detour via Japan

EUROPE was calling but outgoing Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou’s next coaching job will be in Japan.

The Asian Cup winner has accepted the job in charge of City Football Group-aligned JLeague club, Yokohama F Marinos and will take up the reins in the new year.

“I am excited to be moving to Japan and returning to club football,” Postecoglou said.

“Coaching YFM will be a great challenge and I am very much looking forward to working with the club’s players, and young players in particular, to achieve success.”

The deal fulfils Postecoglou’s ambitions to return to club soccer, having successfully steered the Socceroos to next year’s World Cup.

The 52-year-old announced his departure as national team coach four weeks ago after becoming the first Australian to oversee a successful qualification for the tournament.

Instead of preparing the Socceroos for their campaign in Russia, he will be organising a move to Tokyo for the JLeague season beginning in late February.

Even while contracted as national team coach, Postecoglou made no secret of his desires to return to club soccer at the end of his FFA contract. He had hoped that would be in Europe, but CFG’s ambitious plans in Japan and links to Manchester City persuaded Postecoglou to defer plans to return to the continent.