How Troussier eliminated Japanese football's inferiority complex
Before becoming the powerhouse they are today, the Japanese national team had to go through a long process of shaking off a mentality of fear and lack of mettle, with the key milestone being their time under former French head coach Philippe Troussier.
Troussier in an interview with Reuters in Tokyo, Japan on May 25, 2010. Photo: Reuters
Japan once wanted Arsene Wenger. But unable to accept, the "French Professor" politely made a suggestion: Philippe Troussier. In many aspects, Troussier was like a miniature version of Wenger: both French, slender build, wearing glasses, and carrying the demeanor of a scholar. He had traveled through the lower leagues of France and spent many years working in Africa.
The Japan Football Association (JFA) initially only thought of Troussier as a temporary stopgap while waiting for Wenger. But Wenger never came, while Troussier stayed and helped change the face of football in the Land of the Rising Sun. The confidence of the "Samurai Blue" against European giants – such as defeating England right at Wembley in a friendly in early April 2026, or drawing with the Netherlands in the group stage of the recent 2026 World Cup – had its first bricks laid by Troussier.
The 71-year-old former coach arrived in the East Asian country in 1998 with the mission of preparing for the 2002 World Cup campaign, which Japan co-hosted with South Korea. What he left behind after four years became the launchpad for their current status.
When Troussier first took over, he faced a football scene imprisoned in old mindsets. The Japanese national team at that time was not only sluggish but also bound by the strict norms of the country's society.
The team's brightest star at the time was Hidetoshi Nakata, who had just joined Perugia in Serie A. On the training pitch and in the dressing room, his teammates still timidly called him "Nakata-san", with "san" being the honorific suffix attached to the name. This habit even spilled over into official matches, with cumbersome honorifics and rigid sentence structures. Everything was always imposed by a strict hierarchy.
"All of my first training sessions revolved around communication," Troussierrecalled to the British newspaperThe Times. "I had a squad where the players only knew how to say they were happy. Even shouting the word 'run' on the pitch was a barrier for them. I had to explain that we didn't have enough time to address him as 'Nakata-san' every time we needed him to pass the ball."
"Every time I wanted to give opportunities to young players, a wave of opposition arose," Troussier recalled. "It felt like every door was shut. I had to design specific training sessions that forced players to practice giving orders, learning to say 'yes' or 'no' to the ball. After that, I had to try hard to convince the entire country that I had no intention of going against Japanese culture."
But Troussier did not stop there. After a humiliating failure at the 1999 Copa America (a tournament Japan attended as an invitee), he ruthlessly discarded the generation of veteran stalwarts, took over the U23 team, and quickly promoted young talents directly to the national team. He called it a "guerrilla tactic" to bring about a cultural change in the national team.
After a training camp in Burkina Faso, Troussier forced his players to cram into "bush taxis" – a cheap and often overloaded type of public transport in Africa – to travel to a match in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, in order to forge their resilience. But it was the trip to Lebanon for the Asian Cup that proved to be the turning point.
"We played Qatar in the group stage," Troussier recalled. "Two days before the match, I gave the players a night off. Normally, they would invite each other to a familiar Chinese or Japanese restaurant. But this time, I told them to go wherever they wanted. Right after that, I returned to the hotel, ordered all the restaurants inside to close, and banned the players from using the team bus. I asked the receptionist to give them directions to local neighborhoods. I wanted them to experience the capital Beirut for themselves. Find their own places to eat, act freely, wander the streets, not as a collective, but as independent individuals."
"A few players refused to leave the hotel because they only brought the team uniform or sportswear," Troussier continued. "But in the end, I forced everyone out, dividing them into groups of two or three to catch taxis or public buses on their own. That night, everyone returned with their own experiences. It gave them the opportunity to grow as human beings. They had a new adventure, a new story. That experience opened their eyes and breathed new life into their personalities. From that milestone onward, the players played much more fluidly and confidently."
Troussier (second from left) in a training session of the Japanese team at Sendai stadium, Japan on June 17, 2002. Photo: AFP
Key chapter: crushing 0-5 loss to world champion France in Paris. After defeat, Troussier immediately made players practice fouls on training pitch. Decision sparked outrage from Japanese public again.
"Players surrendered before kickoff," Troussier recalled Paris match. "All week, they acted stiff like timid guests at formal dinner party. They could not adapt to environment, could not relax. They looked tiny, scared in giant stadium."
"Psychologically, they worshiped opponent. Lost without resistance," Troussier said coldly, without regret. "I had to wash away inferiority complex making them scared kids before giants. On training pitch, I forced shirt-pulling, elbowing, shoulder charges, rough tackles. Players afraid of contact had to adapt to harsh reality. Did not want players trampled mercilessly by opponent."
That was story of quarter-century ago. But Japan world sees now—playing toe-to-toe against Netherlands, not shaking even without stars like Wataru Endo or Kaoru Mitoma—is sweet fruit from foundation Troussier built.
Philippe Troussier (center) in technical area after Japan – Russia match at World Cup 2002 at Yokohama International Stadium on June 9, 2002. Photo: AFP
French strategist not only changed Japanese football, he changed entire ideology. At end of term, JFA gifted him famous 1955 Chateau Petrus wine. Wine bottle remains intact, unopened in cellar. Troussier considers it trophy for high mountain conquered.
Living in Japan in 2002 like London when Punk Rock born. Troussier squad exceeded all football expectations at World Cup, beating Russia and Tunisia, drawing Belgium, topping Group H, stopping only in round of 16 against Turkey by 0-1. Also became symbols of youth rebellion. Players dyed hair bright colors, dressed unconventionally, making conservative Japanese society frown at liberal wave they sparked.
In Osaka, 900 people, mostly students, jumped into Dotonbori River from bridge to celebrate Tunisia win. Over 5,000 traveled to team media center in Shizuoka to glimpse players on open day. 46,000 spectators watched final match against Turkey in Rifu, stayed to chant "Allez Nippon" before leaving.
After emotional highs and cultural shift came detailed plan. Troussier first to unlock potential of Japan new talent generation. After initial doubts, country football managers fully accepted, developed his ideas.
Japan team huddle around coach Hajime Moriyasu after Tunisia match in World Cup 2026 group stage at Monterrey, Mexico on June 21, 2026. Photo: Reuters
Huge financial resources poured into youth academy system. Pop culture elements, like Captain Tsubasa manga, helped popularize football in schools. Anime stories praising courage, determination, ambition, teamwork applied perfectly to football.
Japan on track for 2050 World Cup champion plan. Hajime Moriyasu team even aims to win summer 2026. Stability maintained under 57-year-old coach (only Didier Deschamps has longer tenure this World Cup). JFA only regrets not breaking round of 16 curse, despite historic wins against giants like Cameroon, Denmark, Colombia, Spain, Germany in major tournaments.
At age 71, Troussier spends most time making wine, but old habits hard to break. "Tactically, Japan reached top team level. But against European elite, technical quality not enough. Second half against Netherlands proved when Japan ready to match physical, speed, they play toe-to-toe with anyone. Modern football identity based on possession, tactics, technical quality. Next step: raise physical, mental levels against giants," Troussier said of Moriyasu team.
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