Even though there have been tons of rumors about Korean managers making their way to Japan, it seems the J-League genuinely isn't interested. J-League powerhouse Gamba Osaka officially announced on December 13th that they are appointing German native Jens Wissing (37), the former assistant coach of Red Bull Salzburg, as their next head coach.
Gamba had previously entrusted the reins to Dani Poyatos (47, Spain), a former Real Madrid youth coach, for three years, from 2023 to 2025.
While the results haven't been great over the past three years in the J1 League (16th, 4th, 9th), the leadership decided to pick another European coach.
Recently, J-League clubs have been hiring foreign managers more and more frequently.
Yokohama F. Marinos appointed Steve Holland (55, England), former Chelsea and England national team assistant coach, ahead of the 2025 season.
For the 2025 season, Kashiwa Reysol will maintain the Ricardo Rodriguez (51, Spain) system, which led them to J-League runner-up, and Gamba’s rival, Cerezo, appointed Arthur Papas (45, Australia), who was part of former Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou’s staff last year.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima entrusted the reins to Michael Skibbe (60, Germany) for four years, from 2022 to 2025.
Skibbe, considered one of the J-League's best foreign coaches, is also rumored to be a strong candidate for the vacant Vissel Kobe head coach position.
Vissel, the richest club in Japan, was recently linked to some Korean managers.
An official familiar with the J-League landscape told us last month, "You should understand that recent rumors about Korean managers heading to the J-League are simply gossip or low-level interest." They added, "Even if negotiations happen, high salaries are a huge stumbling block. J-League clubs simply won't spend huge amounts of money on managers who haven't been proven in the J-League, unless they are already big names overseas."
The official revealed, "Based on the success story of former Yokohama manager Postecoglou, they are currently looking towards managers with potential from overseas, particularly Europe. Coaches like Holland and other Europeans see the J-League as an 'opportunity.'"
"The J-League officially told Lee Jung-hyo 'nope.' Seems the rumors were baseless bait, and Japanese clubs are focused on grabbing cheap European talent instead of pricey Korean managers. Try the Austrian second division, King Hyo!"
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