Futoshi Ikeda Leaves as Coach of Japan Women’s Team
17:51 JST, August 22, 2024
TOKYO (Reuters) — Futoshi Ikeda has left his job as coach of the Japanese women’s team after the Japan Football Association declined to offer him a contract extension in the wake of the team’s quarterfinal exit at the Olympics.
The 53-year-old led the Nadeshiko to the last eight at the Women’s World Cup last year and they were unable to improve on that showing in Paris earlier this month, when they were beaten 1-0 in extra time by eventual gold medalists the United States.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to the players and staff who have fought alongside us as Nadeshiko Japan and the supporters who have cheered us on so warmly,” Ikeda said in a JFA news release on Wednesday. “I believe that we have grown and increased what we can do as a team … I wanted to go even higher as Nadeshiko Japan and see what lies ahead together with the players. “I hope that Nadeshiko Japan will continue to deliver courage and inspiration to many people.”
Ikeda led Japan to the Asian under-19 title in 2017 and the under-20 team to a world title in 2018 before stepping up to take charge of the senior team after they made a quarter-final exit at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
"Sports" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japanese Paralympic Archer Chika Shigesada Withdraws from Paris Games in Wake of Defamation of Other Athlete
-
Swallows Star Norichika Aoki to Retire after 21 Seasons; Has Combined 2,723 Hits in Japan and Major Leagues
-
Kenya Karasawa Claims Silver in Men’s 5,000-Meter T11 Event at Paris Paralympics; Brazil’s Agripino dos Santos Wins Gold
-
Kyoto International Captures Japan’s High School Baseball Title for 1st Time; Edges Kanto Daiichi in 1st-Ever Use of Extra-Inning Tiebreaker at Koshien
-
Shohei Ohtani Hits 39th Homer and Clayton Kershaw Pitches Dodgers to 2-1 Win over Slumping Cardinals
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Philippines Steps Up Defense of Northernmost Province with Eye on Possible Contingency Involving Taiwan
- Typhoon Shanshan Forms, Slowly Moves Toward Japan; Govt Says Typhoon No. 10 Likely to Approach Japan Next Week
- Tokyo Companies Prepare for Ashfall From Mt. Fuji Eruption; Disposal Of Ash, Possibly at Sea, A Major Challenge
- Shizuoka Pref. City Offers Foreigners Free Japanese Language Classes; Aims to Raise Non-Natives to Daily Conversation Level
- Typhoon No. 10 Forecast to Develop; Move into Pacific Ocean South of Japan on Aug. 26