China´s Hangzhou appoint Okada as coach

Chinese Super League club Hangzhou Greentown have confirmed the signing of former Japan coach Takeshi Okada as their new manager.

The decision was widely expected after Okada inspected the club’s stadium and facilities earlier this month.

The two-time national team coach will return to the dugout for the first time since last year’s FIFA World Cup, where he took Japan to a round-of-16 berth before losing to Paraguay on penalties.

In addition to leading the Blue Samurai to their first World Cup appearance in 1998, Okada also managed J.League sides Consadole Sapporo and Yokohama F Marinos, winning two J.League titles with the latter.

Since resigning in 2010 he has worked as a La Liga commentator.

Okada, who will be paid roughly 3.7 million euros by Hangzhou over two years, will bring a hand-picked staff of Japanese coaches and trainers. He is also said to have required that the team make a significant investment in signing both Chinese national team players and current and former J.League stars.

One future signing for Hangzhou could be Brazilian striker Juninho, who recently parted ways with Kawasaki Frontale after scoring 170 goals in nine seasons.

The club and Okada are expected to hold a press conference in Tokyo on Friday.

Okada’s signing comes just days after French star Nicolas Anelka joined fellow CSL club Shanghai Shenhua.