The Japan Football Association offered Japan manager Philippe Troussier a contract through the 2002 World Cup, JFA president Shunichiro Okano said after meeting with the Frenchman on Tuesday.
Details of the contract will be worked out after Troussier returns from holiday as early as August. Troussier will leave for Burkina Faso on Wednesday and then travel to Europe. "I told (Troussier) that I trust him and want him to do his job for us through 2002," Okano said after a two-hour lunch meeting with Troussier at a Tokyo hotel. "We'll talk in detail about renewing the contract later as he will go on holiday tomorrow."
On Monday, the JFA had offered Troussier a four-month contract extension through October. Many expected Okano to merely discuss that extension with Troussier on Tuesday. Instead, he asked the coach to stay on through 2002. "Am I 100 percent happy? No, 200 percent. It's like a second wedding," Troussier said with a big smile on his face. "I was asked to carry on my mission through to 2002. Today it was just a confirmation and I've received a message and an honor."