- published: 05 Aug 2013
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Takeshi Okada (岡田 武史, Okada Takeshi, born 25 August 1956 in Osaka, Japan) is a former football player that was head coach of the Japanese national football team between 2007 and 2010.
Okada played 24 games and scored one goal for the Japan national football team between 1980 and 1985.
He coached Japan at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, later Consadole Sapporo (1999–2001) and Yokohama F Marinos (2003–2006).
Okada was named Japan's head coach in December 2007 to replace Ivica Osim, who suffered a stroke. He was succeeded in 2010 by Alberto Zaccheroni.
Okada gained worldwide attention for leading Japan to ninth-place finish in the FIFA World Cup 2010. He was commended for turning his Japanese team of young, inexperienced unknowns into a slick passing, talented squad of youngsters.
He signed a contract with Chinese Super League side Hangzhou Greentown on 14 December 2011. He extended his contract for two years in the end of 2012 season. However, he resigned from Hangzhou on 5 November 2013.