SOCCER: Japan women's coach Nielsen steps down, weeks after Asian Cup glory

Nils Nielsen has resigned as head coach of Japan's women's national team just weeks after leading them to their third Women's Asian Cup title in four editions and securing a spot at the 2027 World Cup.

REUTERS

April 2, 2026

FILE PHOTO: Japan coach Nils Nielsen is seen before the international friendly Brazil v Japan at Estadio Cicero de Souza Marques, Braganca Paulista, Brazil - June 2, 2025.

Jean Carniel/File Photo/Reuters

Nils Nielsen has stepped down as head coach of the Japanese women’s national team, the Japan Football Association (JFA) announced on Thursday, less than two weeks after he guided the squad to the Women’s Asian Cup title.

Japan secured their third continental title in the last four editions with a 1-0 victory over tournament hosts Australia in the final. The team also earned a spot in the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil by reaching the Asian Cup semi-finals.

“Nils Nielsen, head coach of Nadeshiko Japan, stepped down upon the expiration of his contract,” the JFA said in a brief statement.

Nielsen, 54, became the first foreign manager of Nadeshiko Japan in 2024, replacing Futoshi Ikeda, who had led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the last eight at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Before joining Japan, Nielsen served as the director of football for Manchester City’s women’s team. He also managed the Swiss women’s national team from 2018 to 2022 and coached Denmark’s women’s team from 2013 to 2017, guiding them to a runners-up finish at the 2017 Women’s European Championship. -Reporting by Aadi Nair in BengaluruEditing by Tomasz Janowski/Reuters