ROTTERDAM, Netherlands -- Japan Football Association president Shunichiro Okano confirmed on Saturday that Philippe Troussier will stay on as manager of the Japan national team until the 2002 World Cup, pending contract negotiations.

Speaking at a Rotterdam hotel, Okano said the decision was down to him and the decision was that he wanted Troussier to keep the job for the next two years.

"The Japan Football Association entrusted me to make the decision myself and I decided that Mr. Troussier will continue until 2002," Okano confirmed.