Former Japan coach Ivica Osim said fellow Bosnian and new managerial candidate Vahid Halilhodzic must "become Japanese" if the former Algeria boss is to succeed.
Osim, who managed Japan from 2006 to 2007 before a near fatal stroke forced him to step down, served as the conduit between the Japan Football Association and Halilhodzic, who could be unveiled as new coach of the Samurai Blue as early as March 12.
In an interview with Kyodo News last week, the former Yugoslavia manager, who also coached JEF United Chiba in the J. League from 2003 to 2006, said learning the ins and outs of Japan as quickly as possible will be critical to Halilhodzic's fortunes.