Japan coach Moriyasu turns down Malaysia, eyes move to Europe

Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu is reportedly set to decline a lucrative offer from Malaysia in favor of pursuing opportunities in Europe, dashing the Southeast Asian nation's ambitions to elevate its football scene.

Representatives for Moriyasu have dismissed recent reports suggesting that the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) had formally approached the Japanese coach for the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. The 58-year-old manager wants to work in Europe once his current contract with the Japan Football Association (JFA) concludes on Feb. 28, 2027.

According to Nikkan Gendai, Moriyasu intends to coach at a European club rather than continuing his tenure within international football. He reportedly has a desire to become the first Japanese coach to take charge of a top-flight club in Europe.

Even if Moriyasu were to change his mind, it remains highly unlikely that Malaysia could meet his substantial financial demands. His current salary with the JFA, estimated to exceed 10 million ringgit (US$2.45 million) per year, is reportedly far beyond the operational budget of the FAM.

Moriyasu has been successfully at the helm of the Japan national team since 2018. He gained widespread acclaim for Japan's victories over European giants Germany and Spain during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Four years later, he guided Japan through the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, before the team were eliminated by a star-studded Brazil squad in the Round of 32. His current contract is scheduled to end following the conclusion of the 2027 Asian Cup.

Speculations of Moriyasu's future arrive at a time when Malaysian football is facing challenges. The national team have recently plummeted to 133rd place in the FIFA world ranking and lost their spot in the 2027 Asian Cup due to severe sanctions involving the use of ineligible naturalized players.

The head coach position of the Malaysia national team is currently being held by interim manager Tan Cheng Hoe. He returned to lead the squad in June following the departure of Peter Cklamovski, who unexpectedly terminated his contract to join Salford City in England.

The FAM wants to find a long-term solution to stabilize the roster and restore its competitiveness following a highly turbulent period in the nation's football scene.