Futoshi Ikeda to step down as coach of Japan women’s team

TOKYO (Reuters) – Futoshi Ikeda has resigned as coach of Japan’s women’s national team after the Japan Football Association refused to offer him a contract extension following the team’s elimination in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games.

The 53-year-old led the Nadeshiko to the last eight at last year’s Women’s World Championships, but they failed to improve on that feat earlier this month in Paris when they were beaten 1-0 in extra time by eventual gold medal winners the United States.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the players and staff who fought with us as Nadeshiko Japan and the supporters who cheered us on so warmly,” Ikeda said in a JFA press release on Wednesday. “I believe we have grown and expanded what we can do as a team … I wanted to go even higher as Nadeshiko Japan and see what lies ahead together with the players. “I hope Nadeshiko Japan will continue to give courage and inspiration to many people.”

Ikeda led Japan to the Asian under-19 title in 2017 and the under-20 team to a world title in 2018. He then took charge of the senior team after they were eliminated in the quarter-finals at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.