Palmeiras manager Oswaldo Oliveira has ruled out the possibility of becoming Japan national team coach, telling Brazilian television on Tuesday that he was hurt at not getting a crack at the job previously.
Oliveira, who won three consecutive J. League championship crowns with Kashima Antlers from 2007, was thought to be among around five names on a shortlist to take over the Blue Samurai reins in the wake of the sacking of scandal-tainted Mexican coach Javier Aguirre.
"I see it (the interest) with great pride and joy but I think it would be difficult to happen," Oliveira said in an interview on SporTV.
"I had hoped it is something that would happen naturally (after winning three straight league titles with Kashima) but in the end I did not become the (national team) coach and I was disappointed. It would be difficult now."
Oliveira also said he thought the possibility of another Brazilian coach being hired would be low since the national team plays soccer in a "European vein."
On Friday, Japan Football Association technical director Masahiro Shimoda said the body wants to have Aguirre's successor in place by March 7, when the J. League season begins.
Aguirre was sacked on Feb. 3 for his alleged involvement in a developing match-fixing scandal in Spain. The dismissal came after the criminal complaint filed against the coach for match-fixing was accepted at a Valencia court.