Former Japan manager Takeshi Okada is set to become manager of J. League first-division side Yokohama F Marinos, soccer sources said Monday.
Yokohama looked on course to win the first stage this season before a late slip-up handed the title to Jubilo Iwata and following a poor start to the second stage it sacked Brazilian coach Sebastiao Lazaroni.
Yoshiaki Shimojo stepped in for a second stint as caretaker manager but Okada, who led Japan to its first ever World Cup finals in 1998, has been widely tipped to take charge ever since Lazaroni's sacking in October.
IWATA, Shizuoka Pref. (Kyodo) Japan striker Naohiro Takahara is eyeing a move to Germany's Bundesliga, sources close to the player said Monday.