Celtic legend set for fresh coaching position four years after hanging up boots as he fills 'temporary' void
The Hoops icon became a cult hero at Celtic Park during his four years in Glasgow.
A former Celtic midfielder is set to be appointed on an interim basis of a J2 League side in what will be a new coaching role.
Shunsuke Nakamura is set to embark on a new challenge at second-tier Japanese side Jubilo Iwata as an interim coach. The Celtic legend is making his return to the side he dedicated two years to in the latter stages of his playing career. Coincidentally, the news comes in the same week that Celtic’s seventh most decorated player of all-time, Nir Bitton took on his first managerial position.
Nakamura was signed shortly after current boss Martin O’Neill made way for Gordon Strachan in 2005 and became an instant fan favourite, due to his wand of a left foot. After making 166 appearances and scoring 34 Celtic goals, he left the club in 2009 for Espanyol. From there, he had a stint at Yokohama F. Marinos, before moving to Jubilo Iwata, where he is now set to make his return.
Nakamura set for new start
According to Japanese media outlet, Sponichi Annex: “It was announced on the 19th (January) that Shunsuke Nakamura, a former Japan national soccer team player who served as a coach for Yokohama FC until last season, will serve as a temporary coach for J2 Iwata. He is expected to join the team, which is currently holding its spring training camp in Kagoshima, as early as tomorrow, the 20th.
“Nakamura made his mark with Yokohama F. Marinos and Scotland's Celtic before retiring from active play in 2022 and joining Yokohama FC. He served as a coach at the club from 2012 to 2013, retiring at the end of last season. This time, he has been appointed as a temporary coach in response to a ‘love call’ from his former club, where he played from 2017 to the summer of 2019. He is expected to coach until the 24th, the final day of Iwata's training camp.”
It is understood that the 47-year old have a key role to play in Iwata’s promotion push under manager, Ryo Shigaki, who was appointed earlier this month after the sacking of Takayoshi Amma. Nakamura finished his playing career in 2022 with Yokohama FC, where he has remained a coach up until this day.
Celtic fans are an ‘irreplaceable treasure’ - Nakamura
Whether it be is thunderous strike that looped over Allan McGregor, his title-winning strike against Kilmarnock or his unforgettable free-kick against Manchester United, it appears that every Hoops fan has there favourite Naka moment, despite his Celtic career being relatively short.
Speaking ahead of Celtic’s tour of Japan in 2023, Nakamura said: “My best memory is playing in front of 60,000 fans at Celtic Park – I will never forget those loud cheers. 'Celtic fans are an irreplaceable treasure.' The goal against Rangers I still remember. That was the first time I scored against Rangers from mid-range and it was perfect.”
During his four years at Celtic, the former Japan International won three SPL titles, two Scottish League Cups and a Scottish Cup and remains the most recent Scottish-based player to this day to be nominated for a Ballon D’or.