Football
ESPN staff 9y

Japan set to name Vahid Halilhodzic as new manager to succeed Javier Aguirre

Ex-Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic is set to become Japan's new manager, according to the president of Japan's Football Association (JFA).

The Japan Times quotes JFA president Kuniya Daini as telling the CONMEBOL Congress on Wednesday that Halilhodzic -- who played for Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his career -- has agreed a basic deal which is set to be confirmed on March 12.

The Bosnian coach will succeed Javier Aguirre, who was sacked in February due to the ongoing match-fixing probe against him in Spain from his previous role as manager of La Liga side Real Zaragoza.

Halilhodzic, 62, was reportedly recommended by former Japan coach Ivica Osim, also a Bosnian, and is set to be offered an annual salary of around $2 million.

"We will go over some details with the lawyers and if there are no problems, we can put it forth on the 12th," Daini said.

"[JFA technical director Masahiro] Shimoda will speak about it at length. [On Thursday], he will explain how the negotiations have gone and where things stand right now."

Shimoda returned to Japan in midweek after negotiating with Halilhodzic, telling Bosnia and Herzegovina daily newspaper Dnevni Avaz: "[A deal] should be soon... everything will be known by mid-March."

The Japan Times reports that JFA's technical committee had narrowed its list of candidates down to three -- Halilhodzic, former Swansea coach Michael Laudrup and former Kashima Antlers boss Oswaldo Oliveira.

Halilhodzic appears to be the frontrunner as he is not currently under contract with any club, with Laudrup having already turned down the Queens Park Rangers job due to being in charge of Qatari club Lekhwiya until the summer.

The JFA will proceed with caution following the controversy regarding Aguirre, with Daini adding: "We just want there to be an understanding of both parties, in the event something does happen."

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