Vahid Halilhodzic is strong favourite to become Japan 's new national team manager and could take charge before friendly matches with Tunisia and Uzbekistan later this month . The Japan Football Association want their new coach installed and up to speed before the World Cup qualifying campaign gets underway in June . Mexican Javier Aguirre was sacked last month amid fears his alleged involvement in a match-fixing case in Spain could hurt the team . Vahid Halilhodzic is set to be appointed as Japan 's new national team manager . The 62-year-old Bosnian took charge of Algeria during the 2014 World Cup finals out in Brazil . Japan 's Kyodo News quoted JFA President Kuniya Daini as saying he expected the Bosnian to sign his contract by March 12 . Japan have friendly matches scheduled against Tunisia on March 27 and Uzbekistan four days later . Halilhodzic , 62 , has extensive club management experience , including stints in France with Lille , Rennes and Paris Saint-Germain . Halilhodzic ( left ) , pictured during his time as manager of Paris Saint-Germain , alongside Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and striker Didier Drogba during a 2004 Champions League tie . Halilhodzic celebrates after Algeria 's surprise win over Russia at the 2014 World Cup finals . On the international front , he was at the helm during Ivory Coast 's unbeaten run through 2010 World Cup qualifying , and coached surprise package Algeria at the 2014 Cup in Brazil . Michael Laudrup had also been linked with the Japan job but his contract with Qatar club Lekhwiya runs until July .
Bosnian set to take charge of Japan national team this month . The 62-year-old replaces sacked Mexican Javier Aguirre . Halilhodzic coached surprise package Algeria at 2014 World Cup . He also took charge of the Ivory Coast at the 2010 finals .