Ljungberg is serious contender for FC Tokyo job

Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg is emerging as a serious contender for the vacant manager’s job at FC Tokyo.

It is understood the Swede’s ex-Gunners boss Arsene Wenger who has close links to Japanese football following his time managing Nagoya Grampus Eight in the mid-1990s has recommend his former player to the club.

Ljungberg is giving the proposition consideration as he plots his first move into full-time management.

The 44-year-old held senior coaching positions within Arsenal’s academy before becoming interim first-team boss following the sacking of Unai Emery in 2019.

He has also coached at German club Wolfsburg where he was an assistant for six months under Andries Jonker before the Dutchman’s sacking.

But Ljungberg could now be set for his first full-time managerial job in the Japanese capital.

FC Tokyo’s head coach Kenta Hasegawa resigned from his post after a hugely embarrassing 8-0 defeat by Yokohama Marinos.

The capital club are currently ninth in the J-League table having won 14, lost 14 and drawn seven matches this season.

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After Mikel Arteta was made permanent head coach, Ljungberg stayed on as assistant but left last August and as interim boss held a record of one win, three draws and two defeats.