Philippe Troussier Appointment

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Lore & Background

Troussier's early months with Japan were rocky. After the 1999 Copa América group-stage exit, he shifted strategy, taking charge of the under-20 team for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship. That squad finished as runners-up. He then managed the under-23 team in the 2000 Summer Olympics, leading them to the quarter-finals. The majority of that Olympic team were called up to the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, which Japan won. With that success, Troussier went into the 2002 FIFA World Cup with confidence and led Japan to the final 16, making it at the time Japan's best ever finish within the competition.

In Their Own Story

The 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship became a turning point. After the senior team's early exit from the Copa América, Troussier took over the under-20 side. The Japanese team had a successful campaign and were runners-up within the tournament. He continued with youth teams, managing the under-23s at the 2000 Summer Olympics and guiding them to the quarter-finals. The majority of that team then went on to win the 2000 AFC Asian Cup. Troussier entered the 2002 FIFA World Cup with confidence, leading Japan to the Round of 16—at the time Japan's best ever World Cup finish.

Reader's Guide

Troussier replaced Takeshi Okada in 1998. His assignment was to improve on Japan's 1998 World Cup performance as they prepared to co-host the 2002 tournament. Early struggles included a group-stage exit at the 1999 Copa América, which drew negative media reaction. He responded by focusing on youth, coaching the under-20 team to a runner-up finish at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship. He then managed the under-23s at the 2000 Summer Olympics, reaching the quarter-finals. The core of that Olympic squad won the 2000 AFC Asian Cup. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Japan reached the Round of 16, their best ever finish at the time.

Did You Know?

• Troussier replaced Takeshi Okada as Japan coach in 1998.
• He used a translator and struggled to communicate with players early on.
• After the 1999 Copa América group-stage exit, he took over the under-20 team for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, where Japan finished as runners-up.
• The majority of the under-23 team he led to the 2000 Summer Olympics quarter-finals went on to win the 2000 AFC Asian Cup.
• Japan's Round of 16 finish at the 2002 FIFA World Cup was their best ever finish in the competition at that time.