TOKYO – Japan has appointed Mexican Javier Aguirre as the new head coach of the national team.
The Japan Football Association made the appointment on Thursday, with the 55-year-old Aguirre replacing Alberto Zaccheroni, who coached the team to a disappointing group-stage exit at the World Cup.
Aguirre guided Mexico to the round of 16 at the World Cup in 2002 and 2010, and most recently was coach of Spanish club Espanyol last season, with the Barcelona club finishing 14th.
Aguirre's first task will be to prepare Japan for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia in January, and then qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
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