TOKYO – The Japan Football Association announced Thursday it will not renew Nils Nielsen’s contract as manager of the women’s national team, less than two weeks after he guided them to the Women’s Asian Cup title.
Nadeshiko Japan secured their third Women’s Asian Cup late last month, qualifying for their 10th straight Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year.
Assistant coach Michihisa Kano will serve as interim manager during the team’s tour to the United States from later this month for three friendlies, the JFA said.
Norio Sasaki, a JFA senior official in charge of the women’s national team, said the governing body believed Nielsen lacked the “passion and skills” to win the World Cup.
JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said the organization aims to name Nielsen’s successor “as soon as possible” after the U.S. tour.
The 54-year-old Dane became the first foreign manager of Japan’s women’s team in December 2024.
He previously managed the women’s national teams of Denmark and Switzerland before working with Manchester City.