Celtic legend Shunsuke Nakamura has been appointed as a first team coach at Yokohama FC after his recent decision to finally call time on his long and illustrious playing career.
The 44 year old former Celtic star certainly had a good innings and during his four years as a trailblazer for Japanese footballers at Celtic, won six trophies and starred in the Champions League, scoring one of the greatest goals in Champions League history in that memorable win over Manchester United that booked Celtic’s place in the knock-out rounds under Gordon Strachan, vastly under appreciated as a Celtic manager and like Nakamura continued to play for as long as he could.
Nakamura is now looking at following in Gordon Strachan’s footsteps as he looks to take on the new challenge in coaching the first team at his old club Yokohama FC .
The J-League club issued a statement yesterday confirming the appointment. “From the 2023 season, Mr. Shunsuke Nakamura will be appointed as the Yokohama FC top team coach.”
Naka also commented, expressing his delight in landing his first coaching role after hanging up his boots. The Celtic legend said: “From the 2023 season, I will be appointed as the coach of the Yokohama FC top team and will follow the path of a coach.
“I am very happy to go into battle with Yokohama FC again next season. It has been a great source of inspiration in my football life. I will work hard to be able to do the same.
“I will once again face football from scratch, take on various challenges, repeat failures and successes, and grow. I would like to thank you for your continued support.”
2023シーズンより #中村俊輔 氏が横浜FCトップチームコーチに就任いたしますのでお知らせします。
🔽コメントはこちらhttps://t.co/07YZUJdYwy#yokohamafc #横浜FC#Jリーグ pic.twitter.com/sivE2qZwhp
— 横浜FC【公式】 (@yokohama_fc) November 25, 2022
Here’s a reminder of Naka’s Celtic goals…
Shunsuke Nakamura’s post-player career will begin as a top-team coach with Yokohama FC in 2023. https://t.co/k56fz3ubUk
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) November 25, 2022
Yokohama FC to hire recently retired Shunsuke Nakamura as a top team coach.https://t.co/IZx3NBoZzR pic.twitter.com/RYrTOxMEJd
— Yuri (@yurixlax) November 25, 2022