Laudrup confirms Japan interest

[Ibrahimovic]

Laudrup confirms Japan interest

AFP

Feb 18, 2015 13:59:44

The Denmark legend is aware the Asian country are hopeful of appointing him, but he is in no rush to make a decision about his future

Michael Laudrup has confirmed that the Japanese Football Association (JFA) wants him to coach the country's national team, but the Dane will not leave his current club Lekhwiya until the end of the Qatar Stars League season in May.

Laudrup did not rule out coaching Samurai Blue but with an AFC Champions League campaign starting next week, and his current team sitting just one point behind leaders Al Sadd in the Stars League table, the 50-year-old is not interested in changing jobs just yet.

However, the former Real Madrid and Barcelona ace, who was sacked by Swansea in February 2014, added that he would consider taking the Japan job in three months' time.

"In a week we will also start the group stage of the Champions League so there will be a lot of games in the near future," Laudrup told Kyodo News.

"I am aware of the interest from Japan but as I just said, we have a lot of games coming up and they have, absolutely, first priority at the moment.

"Then when the season finishes in May, I will think about my future.

"It could be here in Lekhwiya or somewhere else."

The JFA are still looking for a new coach after sacking Javier Aguirre following Japan's quarter-final exit at the Asian Cup in January.

Aguirre's alleged involvement in match-fixing during his time in charge of Real Zaragoza in La Liga was the reason for Japan's decision.

Laudrup is believed to be one of five names on the JFA's shortlist to replace Aguirre.