2 Jun 2005(Thu)

TOKYO (May 31): Did you read those comments from Philippe Troussier the other day?

Apparently, Troussier wants his job back as national coach of Japan, and accused Zico of not giving the players enough freedom on the pitch.

Did he really say that?

If he did, then it's quite a statement from Troussier, who was not known for his flexibility in formation and strategy, although he was always happy to give talented young players a chance and help to toughen them up.

So, would there be a chance of Troussier having his old job back in the near future?

To me the answer is obvious: No!

I think there's absolutely no chance of JFA president Kawabuchi even considering Troussier for the post should the results go against Japan in Bahrain and in Bangkok against North Korea, and Zico is shown the door back to Rio.

Very early in his turbulent introduction to Japan, Troussier suggested a round of J.League fixtures should be postponed to give him more time to prepare for a friendly. I think it was Troussier's first game in charge, in fact, against Egypt at Osaka Nagai.

A few days later, when Kawabuchi, then the J.League chairman, was asked to comment on Troussier's suggestion, he was very scathing of the national coach.

"He's been in Africa for 10 years. He can't come here and just start changing things in the J.League," were the jist of Kawabuchi's reaction.

No, there is no chance.

Troussier has not had a happy time since leaving Japan, first with an operation followed by lengthy recovery, then a brief spell with Qatar and a troubled few months at Marseille.

I could see Troussier taking over the China job, with a brief to build a new team from the chaos of the corrupt professional league in time for the 2007 Asian Cup and, more significantly, the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, of course.

Troussier would be perfect for this job, picking young players, smacking them about a bit and moulding them into a smooth-running, well-organised and disciplined team.

Troussier for China?

Makes more sense than Troussier for Japan.

ends