The Japan Football Association has reached a basic agreement with former Brazil international and Kashima Antlers technical director Zico to hire the 49-year-old Brazilian as the new Japan coach, a JFA top official said Thursday.
"Have we reached a basic agreement? Yes, apart from a few small things," JFA vice president and J. League chairman Saburo Kawabuchi said, admitting that he had met Zico on Wednesday night and officially made the offer to him.
The two sides still have a few things to settle. But the announcement is expected to be made on July 20 when the JFA will hold its executive committee meeting in Tokyo.