Japanese Media: Justo Takagi to Step Down as Japan U23 Coach; Tomoda Yuki Seen as Potential Successor

According to Japanese media, Justo Takagi is set to step down as the coach of Japan’s U23 team, with Tomoda Yuki considered one of the potential successors.

Following Japan U23’s 0-3 defeat against Spain U23 in the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics, the team has no further fixtures this year. The next event for this age group will be the 2026 U23 Asian Cup. It is understood that the Japan Football Association (JFA) has already begun its preliminary selection process for the national team coach for the next Olympic cycle. The JFA has a tradition of appointing outstanding domestic coaches to lead the Olympic team, including Moriyasu Hajime, who led Sanfrecce Hiroshima to three J.League titles and coached Japan U23 at the Tokyo Olympics, and Justo Takagi, who guided Kashima Antlers to the AFC Champions League title in 2018 and managed the team at the Paris Olympics.

The JFA has now turned its attention to Tomoda Yuki, the current head coach of Kawasaki Frontale, who has won four J.League titles, one Emperor’s Cup, one J.League Cup, and three Japanese Super Cups with the club. Players such as Mitoma Kaoru, Tanioka Eiji, and Tanaka Ao, who have played under his management, have established themselves in the Japanese national team.

The current Japan U19 national team, coached by Yukizaso Funakoshi, is the age-appropriate squad for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The immediate goal for this U19 team is to qualify for next year’s U20 World Cup. In addition to Tomoda Yuki, Yukizaso Funakoshi is also among the candidates being considered.