SAITAMA — Kashima Antlers manager Oswaldo Oliveira wants to take charge of Japan's national team and is prepared to walk out on the J. League champions to do so.
The Japan Football Association has yet to to name a successor to Takeshi Okada almost two months after the World Cup manager resigned from the post, with technical director Hiromi Hara last week returning empty-handed from a monthlong overseas recruiting trip.
Hara has so far restricted his search to managers working outside Japan, but Brazilian Oliveira, who has won the J. League title every year since joining Kashima in 2007, stated his interest in no uncertain terms after his side's 1-1 draw with Urawa Reds on Saturday night.