J-League strugglers Urawa Reds have set their sights on soon-to-be-former Gamba Osaka manager Akira Nishino.
Urawa had hoped to sign former Japanese national team manager Takeshi Okada but their offer was rejected, according to Sports Hochi.
Okada led Japan to an unexpected round of 16 berth in last year s 2010 World Cup, with Urawa expected to offer him a multi-year contract worth around one million euros.
But the 2007 ACL winners have fallen on hard financial times, and with their first yearly deficit looming were unable to guarantee Okada s demands for an off-season acquisition budget that would make the Saitama side competitive.
The Reds are also competing with Chinese side Hangzhou Greentown, who have invited Okada to meet with club officials this weekend in the hopes that he will become the first Japanese manager in the Chinese Super League.
Okada is said to be interested in coaching overseas, and Greentown are considering dismissing current manager Wu Jingui to accommodate the Japanese tactician.
Meanwhile, Urawa native Nishino s status with the Reds has quickly risen since the announcement of his impending departure from Gamba.
The team is currently in third place and still in the running for this season s J-League title, but will need a win as well as losses by Kashiwa Reysol and Nagoya Grampus to secure their first championship since 2005.
Nishino s 10-year reign has also seen the Osakans win a J-League Cup, two Emperor s Cups, and the 2008 ACL.
Nishino is expected to be replaced at Gamba by former Japan striker Wagner Lopes.
