Japan Football Association chief Saburo Kawabuchi has admitted that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is out of Japan's price range and has not ruled out the possibility of turning to homegrown talent for a successor to Brazilian coach Zico after the World Cup finals.
The JFA has approached Wenger twice in the past about taking the reins of the national team, the first time following the 1998 World Cup and then again in 2000 as a replacement for Philippe Troussier, Wenger's recommendation after he turned down the initial offer.
The Frenchman, who has experience of coaching in the J. League with Nagoya Grampus Eight, was again top of the list to replace Zico with Kawabuchi hoping to get his man at the third time of asking.