Roger Schmidt Appointed as J.League Global Football Advisor

J.League has announced the launch of its Overseas Coach Invitation Project and has agreed to appoint Mr. Roger Schmidt as the Global Football Advisor.

This project aims to disseminate world-class football philosophies and coaching methods through Mr. Schmidt, who has extensive coaching experience at top European clubs, by providing on-site coaching for academy players, seminars for coaches and sporting directors, and to share his experience and knowledge with the J.League and J.clubs.

He will coach the J.League Academy Selected Team in further activities and will share his football philosophy and training methods with head coaches, coaches and sporting directors. He will also conduct session programs for head coachs of J.clubs, sporting directors, and other coaches to pervade world-class football standards. Furthermore, based on his observations on matches of the MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE and other competitions of the sort.

The schedule is to start with the 1st Special Program for coaches and sporting directors in October, followed by a mentoring program for expedition tours in Europe as the technical advisor of the selected team of U-18 J.League in November, and Training Camp Coaching Program for the selected team of U-16 J.League in December.

 In 2026, the 2nd Special Program for coaches and sporting directors will be held in February, a mentoring program for expedition tours in Europe as the head coach of the selected team of U-16 J.League in March, and the 3rd Program for coaches and sporting directors as the FIFA World Cup Session.

Regarding the appointment as J.League Global Football Advisor, Mr. Schmidt commented

“I am truly honored to be appointed as J.League Global Football Advisor. When I met Chairman Nonomura in Düsseldorf this July, I found myself strongly aligned with J.League‘s vision and growth strategy, which led to my decision to join this ambitious project. Throughout my time in this role, I look forward to contributing with full commitment to the strengthening and development of J.League and Japanese football. This will include engaging in sessions and exchanges with sporting directors and coaches of each J.club, as well as coaching the next generation of youth players from J.League.

I am excited about the opportunity to share my ideas, experience, and football philosophy to help achieve its mission "J.League to compete on the global stage“

J.League Chairman Yoshikazu Nonomura, also commented

“From this October, the J.League will start overseas coach invitation project. In order for the J.League to win the title in Asia and further aim for the top in the world, it is extremely important to improve the level of not only players but also coaches and sporting directors.

Roger, who has a great career as a head coach of strong European clubs, sympathizes with the J.League's growth strategy and I think it is a great opportunity for us to invite him on this project.

Through this project, we hope that by further improving the global perspective of the coaches, sporting directors and leaders, it will be a further step for the J.League and clubs to get closer to the world”

The contract with Mr.Schmidt is scheduled for 9 months from October 2025 to June 2026.

Roger Schmidt

Place of Birth: Germany

Date of Birth: March 13, 1967 (58 years old)

Qualifications: UEFA Pro License

Carrer:

In 2004, at age 37, became player-head coach for a German fifth-division club.

From the following season, focused on coaching, leading SC Paderborn in the second division during the 2011/12 season.

In 2012, been invited to FC Red Bull Salzburg by Ralf Rangnick, the Red Bull Group's chief sporting director and renowned as a tactician. In the second year, led the team to an overwhelming domestic double in Austria.

In 2014, became a head coach of Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

After a stint with Beijing Guoan and PSV Eindhoven, became a head coach of SL Benfica from summer 2022, led the team to win the title and guided the club to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.

In June 2025, tactical and practical training methodology was released globally by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

Head Coach Career:

2004 – 2007        Delbruck SC（Germany）

2007 – 2010        Prussia Munster（Germany） Championship Title in 2010/11

2011 – 2012         SC Paderborn　（Germany）

2012 – 2014        FC Red Bull Salzburg　（Austria）　Championship Title and Austrian Cup Title in 2013/14

2014 – 2017        Bayer 04 Leverkusen （Germany）　UEFA Champions League Round of 16 in 2014/15 and 2016/17

2017 – 2019        Beijing Guoan （China PR）

2020 – 2022        PSV Eindhoven （Netherlands）

2022 – 2024        SL Benfica （Portugal）Championship Title in 2022/23, UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals in 2022/23