Japan’s appointment of Nils Nielsen as the Nadeshiko’s first ever foreign head coach marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s women’s football journey. The Greenlander, who previously served as Denmark women’s coach and Manchester City’s women’s director of football, has set his sights on leading Japan back to the pinnacle they reached in 2011 when hoisting the Women’s World Cup trophy.
A New Era Dawns for Japanese Women’s Football
Nielsen’s arrival signals a significant shift in the Japan FA’s approach, as they look outward for fresh perspectives to revitalize a program that has struggled to match the heights of that Frankfurt triumph over a decade ago. Despite a wealth of technical talent, the Nadeshiko have fallen short at major tournaments in recent years.
The 53-year-old Dane inherits a squad brimming with potential, but one that he believes requires tactical and mental adjustments to truly flourish on the global stage once more. And he is setting the bar high from the outset:
“We are not going to beat around the bush with the targets we set. We aim to win a major tournament and we will do everything we can to achieve that.”
– Nils Nielsen
Unleashing Japan’s Technical Prowess
Nielsen recognizes the immense technical gifts of his new charges, but sees untapped potential that can be harnessed with some key tactical tweaks and a shift in on-field mentality:
“If football was played only in the space between the two penalty areas Japan would possibly be the most successful team in football history. But that’s not the case and there are some elements that must be added.”
– Nils Nielsen
Those “killer instincts” that Nielsen alludes to, particularly when it comes to attacking aggression and transitional play, are areas he sees as difference-makers in elevating Japan to true title contenders once more. But this evolution, he insists, is about modifying mentalities rather than identities:
“It’s about the way we mentally approach games and do it in a safe way so they don’t feel they have to change themselves. It is their game mentality that changes, not who they are.”
– Nils Nielsen
Harnessing a Golden Generation
Nielsen has wasted no time immersing himself in Japanese football culture, attending both the high school championship finals and the U18 club tournament in his early days in charge. And the experience left him marveling at the nation’s capacity for churning out top young talents:
“What is incredible is that there are so many young talents in Japan you can have two high-quality youth tournaments running at the same time. I was watching both finals and thinking ‘Wow’.”
– Nils Nielsen
With a pipeline of technical, intelligent, and dynamic young players emerging through these elite youth setups, the future looks bright for the Nadeshiko. Nielsen will aim to integrate this exciting new generation and craft a playing style that amplifies their strengths.
The Manchester City Connection
During his time at Manchester City, Nielsen played a key role in recruiting a quartet of Japanese talents in Ayaka Yamashita, Aoba Fujino, Risa Shimizu, and Yui Hasegawa. That eye for unearthing players who fit a specific tactical mold should serve him well in his new role:
“If you’re after a player with good passing ability and run a search on a scouting database I guarantee you that seven out of 10 names that pop up will be Japanese.”
– Nils Nielsen
Expect Nielsen to implement a possession-based, technically-oriented style that plays to the strengths of the talent pool at his disposal, with high pressing and quick transitions adding a new dimension to Japan’s play.
The Road Ahead
Nielsen’s new-look Nadeshiko will have their first test at the upcoming SheBelieves Cup in the United States, where they face stern opposition in the form of Australia, Colombia, and the host nation. While results are important, the Dane will prioritize squad evaluation and implementing his tactical blueprint in these early days:
“I cannot say everybody will get a start but I expect 22 out of 23 players will receive playing time. It might be difficult to give all three goalkeepers playing time but let’s see.”
– Nils Nielsen
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and Nielsen acknowledges that instilling his vision will be a process. But armed with a wealth of talent, a clear tactical plan, and the freedom to mold this team in his image, the building blocks are in place for a Japanese women’s football revolution.
Only time will tell if Nielsen’s ambitious project will return Japan to the status of World Cup winners. But one thing is certain – the Nadeshiko will be a fascinating team to watch as they embark on this new era under the guidance of their historic first foreign coach. The world awaits the next chapter of Japan’s women’s football story.
