Japan still want Wenger at their World Cup

Japan are prepared to pay Arsene Wenger $7.3 million a year to take charge of their national team before his contract at Arsenal ends next year.

The Japanese want Wenger to guide them at the World Cup finals in 2002 and are ready to break the bank to make the former Monaco and J-League coach the highest paid manager in world football.

Wenger has already refused a JFA offer in 1998 to be new coach of Japan and it was on his recommendation that that the 2002 World Cup co-hosts appointed current team boss Philippe Troussier.

The Arsenal boss is high on the list of many clubs in Italy and Spain and has already turned down the chance to coach England's national team because he wanted to stay at Arsenal.

With the London club trailing the Premiership leaders Manchester United by a large margin again this season the JFA hope that their offer will see Wenger accept the chance to do a rare job in world football - manage a World Cup host's team.

The Japanese will be among those bidding to give Wenger work if he stays at Arsenal and leaves on his current contract terms in 2002 and the French national team job could also be offered to him.