AFC Champions League
Kewell replaces compatriot Kevin Muscat, who announced his departure from the J1 League side at the end of the just-concluded season having led the club to the domestic title in 2022.
The 45-year-old former Leeds United and Liverpool attacker joins after working as assistant coach to Brendan Rodgers at Scottish Premiership side Celtic, having previously worked as head coach at English sides Crawley Town, Notts County, Oldham Athletic and Barnet.
“I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Yokohama F Marinos,” Kewell said in a statement posted on the club’s website.
“I would like to thank the club for putting their trust in me to take the team forward. There is a lot of work ahead of us, and I am eager to get onto the training ground to start working with the players.
“We will work together as we aim to bring success to the club. The hard work begins now.”
Kewell is the third Australian in succession to take charge of the club, following in the footsteps of Muscat and Ange Postecoglou. Both of his predecessors took their teams to the J1 League crown.
The new head coach’s first competitive game in charge will be against Bangkok United in the first leg of the Round of 16 clash in the AFC Champions League in February while the 2024 J1 League campaign is slated to kick off on February 23.
Photo: AFP
