The Japan Football Association has reached agreement on the conditions of re-signing its contract with Japan manager Philippe Troussier and is likely to complete the signing later this week before the Frenchman leaves for Sydney with the Japan Olympic team, JFA secretary general Kenji Mori said Monday in Tokyo. Mori refused to unveil the terms but noted that the two sides have agreed on "reasonable" conditions. The contract period will run until the end of June 2002, through the World Cup finals, at a presumed annual salary of 100 million yen.
"If we can sort out some details between our lawyers, we'll probably be able to sign a contract before his departure," Mori said. The Japanese team will head to Australia on Sept. 9.
"I'm very satisfied," added JFA president Shunichiro Okano. "Both sides have come closer on a practical line. I hope we can complete the signing as soon as we can."
Later, Troussier said it was all news to him.
"It's the first I've heard of it," Troussier told journalists. "But it is good news and will give me some confidence heading down to Sydney."
In other news, the JFA announced it will provide cash bonuses to its Olympic players based on their success and playing time at the Sydney Games. Each player will receive a maximum of 6 million yen for a gold medal with 3 million yen for a silver and 2 million yen for a bronze.