Arthur Papas has taken charge of J1 League club Cerezo Osaka in Japan’s top flight.
The talented Australian and former Newcastle Jets boss – who has an unrelenting belief in his philosophy – arrives in Osaka to replace Akio Kogiku at the end of the 2024 season and he is reportedly set to be assisted by ex-Melbourne City assistant Ralph Napoli.
Papas is set to be the only Australian head coach in Japan’s top flight next season after Peter Cklamovski left FC Tokyo and was appointed by the Malaysia national team, while former Yokohama F.Marinos interim boss John Hutchinson is set to be unveiled by Jubilo Iwata following their relegation.
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“I am honoured to be named the new manager of Cerezo Osaka,” he said. “I am very excited to return to Japan and to Asia’s top league, the J.League.
“I am also looking forward to meeting the staff and players, our first training session, and building a team that you can all be proud of. I am looking forward to showing you all on the pitch that hard work, intensity, and a willingness to attack in any situation is ingrained in our team.
“I will work hard to bring our passionate supporters the success they deserve. I look forward to meeting all of you.”
Cerezo is also the former home of Perth Glory captain and Socceroo Adam Taggart, ex-A-Leagues midfielder Mitch Nichols and Pierce Waring.
Papas is no stranger to Japanese football as the 44-year-old returns to the country for the first time since 2021, while it is his first head coaching role since leaving Thai giants Buriram United earlier this year.
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The highly-rated coach was Ange Postecoglou’s assistant when Yokohama F.Marinos won the 2019 J1 League title and spent another year at the club alongside fellow Aussie Cklamovski.
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With vast experience in Asia across India and Saudi Arabia, Papas also spent a spell in charge of J3 League outfit Kagoshima United in 2021 before two seasons coaching the Jets in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
At Thai juggernaut Buriram, Papas ended the club’s five-year wait for a win in the AFC Champions League Elite group phase thanks to a win over Melbourne City in November 2023.
