Philippe Troussier’s Globe-Trotting Continues

By: Martha | December 18th, 2007

I rule. During the 2002 World Cup, Philippe Troussier was a hero in Japan. He’d coached the national team for four years, leading them to victory in the 2000 Asian Cup and second-place finish in the 2001 Confederation Cups, and hopes were high that the Frenchman would bring the hosts some sort of World Cup miracle. I mean, the man was on tshirts — I have one that says nothing but “TROUSSIER JAPAN” on it, with his face embedded in the words — that’s how popular he was. And, though Japan didn’t have success on the level of that achieved by co-hosts South Korea, they did escape the group stage for the first time ever, and his departure was an amicable one.

After leaving Japan, Trossier continued his peripatetic coaching career, spending about a year in charge of Qatar before moving on to a stint with Marseille, and then coaching Morocco briefly. After leaving Morocco after just two months in 2005 (as a coach, but not a citizen — he still lives there, and he and his wife recently converted to Islam), Trossier’s been off the coaching scene, though his name comes up virtually every time an African or Asian nation is looking for a new coach — with a resume that includes, in addition to the above, stints in charge of Ivory Coast, Nigera and South Africa, that’s no surprise. In just the last month, he’s been seriously considered to take charge of Iran, Benin and Australia, and also expressed interest in the Republic of Ireland job, despite his lack of experience in Europe.

And now, finally, after two years away, he’s back in football. Not, however, with a national team, or even on the bench — he’s been appointed General Manager of ~~J-League~~ JFL side FC Ryukyu, a club that’s only four years old. Yeah, I don’t get it, either. He’s familiar with Japan, obviously, and possibly wanted to go back, but why as GM? And why with such a young club? Plus, the club’s primary focus seems to be on bringing in talented players from South America, not exactly Troussier’s area of expertise. Maybe they offered him a mint, and he couldn’t resist?

Edit: Jeremy pointed out in the comments that the club is actually in the third division of Japanese football, which makes Trossier’s decision even more bizarre. From finalist for the Australia gig to this?