Former Brazil international Zico is set to take over as manager of Japan's national soccer team, the Japan Football Association (JFA) said Wednesday.
If the JFA can agree personal terms with Zico, the 49-year-old will take over from Frenchman Philippe Troussier and is expected to sign a four-year contract through to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Zico has no previous managerial experience but in a highly successful career as a player appeared in three successive World Cup finals from 1978, and was a member of the famed Brazilian midfield quartet in Spain in 1982.
The midfielder came to Japan in 1991 to wind down his playing career and helped Kashima Antlers win the first-stage title in the inaugural year of the J. League in 1993.
After retiring in 1994, Zico became a technical adviser at the Antlers, with Kashima winning the overall J. League title four times while he was general manager. Zico was also assistant coach of the Brazilian team that lost to France in the World Cup final in 1998.
Troussier took over as Japan manager in September 1998 and spent four years in charge of the full international side as well as the Olympic and under-19 teams.
After three defeats in its only previous World Cup finals appearance in 1998, the cohost topped its first-round group in the World Cup last month, beating Russia and Tunisia, but went out in the second round to Turkey.
Troussier and the JFA decided not to extend their contract by mutual consent.