Nils Nielsen has left his role as head coach of the Japan women’s football team, just two weeks after leading them to the Women’s Asian Cup title.
Japan beat Australia 1-0 in the final last month to win the tournament for the third time in four editions. The result also secured their place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Japanese Football Association confirmed that Nielsen left when his contract came to an end.
The 54-year-old Dane made history in 2024 when he became the first foreign manager of the national side. Before joining Japan, he worked as director of football at Manchester City Women, and previously managed the Swiss women’s team between 2018 and 2022.
He also had a spell in charge of Denmark’s women’s side from 2013 to 2017, taking them to the final of the European Championship in 2017.
