Japan axe coach Nielsen 12 days after winning Women's Asian Cup

Greenlander Nielsen led a rampant Japan to their third Asian title in four tournaments, beating hosts Australia 1-0 in the final in Sydney on March 21.

The 54-year-old had been in the job since December 2024 and was the first foreign-born coach of the Japan women's team.

The Japan Football Association (JFA) said Nielsen's contract expired after the Asian Cup and the board of directors had decided not to offer him a new one.

"Thinking about winning major international tournaments and weighing up various factors, we came to this conclusion," said JFA president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto.

Japan won plaudits for their performances at the Asian Cup, where they scored 29 goals and conceded just one.

Nielsen described his team as "inspirational" and said he was "very lucky to be working with players that are that good".

There was no indication at the time that he would soon depart.

Women's national team director Norio Sasaki said Japan could not win next year's World Cup in Brazil if Nielsen remained in charge.

"His coaching was a little too lax, a little too soft. A more rigorous approach and rigorous training is necessary," said Sasaki, who coached Japan to the World Cup crown in 2011.

Sasaki said Nielsen had "a gentle character" and was not tough enough to win major global titles.

"From speaking to him about what he could do to take the team to the next level, there was a sense that he lacked passion," he said.

Japan are scheduled to play three away friendlies against the United States in April.

Michihisa Kano will take over as interim coach for the tour.

Sasaki said that the next full-time coach would likely be Japanese.

Nielsen previously coached Denmark and Switzerland's women's teams and served as technical director of Manchester City's women's side.