3 Jul 2006(Mon)

July 1, 2006 -- What's happening in the Osim Affair?

I thought the procedure would have been quite straightforward for the JFA.

First, the JFA technical committee draws up a list of candidates to succeed Zico after the World Cup.

Second, they approach the man at the top of the list, or, if he is employed by a club, they approach the club to ask for permission to speak to the candidate.

Third, they offer the job to the candidate, and discuss the length of the contract/salary etc. If there is no agreement, the JFA moves down the list...Osieck?

Fourth, if an agreement is reached, they then negotiate a settlement with the club, if necessary.

Fifth, the new head coach of the national team is presented to the media.

But no, the Osim Affair is still running, as June turns to July. Hopefully it will be concluded soon, for the good of Japanese football, and then Osim can start repairing the damage caused by the Brazilian, who should never have been appointed in the first place.

I must admit I was quite surprised when, on his return to Japan from Germany, JFA president Saburo Kawabuchi revealed that they were negotiating with Osim, and that the initial approach had been made before the World Cup.

Clearly this was a clever piece of "political spin" by the JFA president, trying to deflect attention away from Zico and Japan's failed campaign and putting Osim, a popular choice, in the focus.

The announcement appeared to take some people by surprise, including JEF United, who said they had not been approached by the JFA for permission to speak to Osim.

The last I saw about it was on the NHK evening news on Friday, when Osim was at Gifu and receiving a bouquet of flowers, rather embarrassingly.

Hopefully the three sides -- JFA, JEF and Osim -- can reach a deal soon, and an official announcement can be made, so we can put the Zico Episode behind us as quickly as possible and move forward.

I have been saying for a couple of years that Osim would be the ideal national coach, as it will need someone who knows the Japanese players now to start rebuilding the team.

And there is no need to think about the 2010 World Cup just yet, especially in the case of Osim.

Surely a one-year contract, though to the 2007 Asian Cup, or a maximum two-year deal would suffice, and then, if everyone is happy, an extension through to the 2010 World Cup could be discussed.

I also don't want to read any more comments from the JFA president about Osim being the ideal man to continue Zico's philosophy.

To me this is an insult to Osim, who is a respected and proven coach, as opposed to Zico, who had no experience at all and displayed his shortcomings time and again during those four long years.

ends