Six days after wrapping up his playing career, former Japan captain Makoto Hasebe said Friday he aspires to someday manage his longtime German Bundesliga club, Eintracht Frankfut.
The 40-year-old Hasebe looked refreshed as he told a Tokyo press conference about the end of his career and his life in football going forward.
"I have no regrets whatsoever," said Hasebe, who captained the Samurai Blue at three consecutive World Cups, starting in 2010. "I wrapped up my career with a great sense of satisfaction."
Hasebe's next step is coaching, at first focusing on the Frankfurt's under-21 team.
"My ultimate goal is to be with the top team, in the top spot," he said.
Although his coaching credentials have yet to be established, his leadership on the pitch in Japan is a matter of record. Capped 114 times in his international career, Hasebe captained Japan a record 81 times.
"I'm proud of that, and have a deep sense of gratitude to those around me," he said.
Hasebe turned pro in 2002 with Japan's Urawa Reds, and in 2008 moved to Germany, where he spent the last 10 years with Frankfurt.
