Japanese soccer chief Shunichiro Okano, who offered Philippe Troussier a contract running through the 2002 World Cup last week, indicated Monday that poor results could prompt a reconsideration of the deal for the national coach.
"We will work out details (of a new contract for Troussier) based on the common sense of the soccer world," Okano said after a meeting of the Japan Football Association board of directors.
Okano apparently backed off from his earlier remarks that Japan's results at the Sydney Olympics in September and the Asian Cup in Lebanon in October "will not be questioned" when he announced his offer for Troussier on June 20.
JFA board members present at Monday's meeting said they would back Okano and his decision.
At the same time, however, they voiced the view that unconditional, full support for a manager is rarely seen in soccer and that any manager who does not produce results can expect to be fired.
Troussier, under fire after a winless year for his senior national squad, won Okano's offer after steering Japan impressively through the King Hassan II Cup in Morocco and the Kirin Cup on home soil earlier this month.