Eddie Jones, who was dismissed from the post of national team coach, is now being questioned about his return to the position of national team coach.

Eddie Jones is well known in Japan as the world-famous general who led Japan to defeat South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and produced the “Miracle in Brighton.

Since 2016, he has led England, the “mother country of rugby,” to a runner-up finish at the 2019 World Cup. However, he was sacked as England’s head coach in December last year, just nine months before the World Cup, midway through his tenure.

Jones HC had a solid record with England after leading Japan to three wins at the 2015 World Cup.

In his seven years in charge, he has won the Six Nations, an annual league competition between six traditional European nations, three times, including one outright victory, an England-record 18 consecutive Test match wins, and a runner-up finish at the 2019 World Cup. He also boasted the highest winning percentage of any England head coach with 59 wins, 20 losses, and 2 draws in 81 Test matches for a winning percentage of 73%.

However, in 2022, he has 5 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw against the All Blacks and losses to Argentina and South Africa, although he did win a Test match against Japan last fall. The decision to dismiss the team was made after losing at home to South Africa, who also lost in the finals of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

It is unfortunate because the World Cup was Jones’ true calling card, as he contributed to South Africa’s victory at the 2007 World Cup as an advisor to the national team.

However, Jones, who lives in Tokyo with his Japanese wife, has been busy coaching young players and giving coaching sessions to Japanese coaches as an advisor to the Tokyo Suntory Sangoliaths since his dismissal as England’s national team coach.

When we asked Jones himself, he was already upbeat, saying, “It’s a shame I couldn’t lead until the World Cup (in 2023), but I’ve had a good seven years (as England coach) and had some successes, so I’m looking forward to what I’m going to do next! He was already looking on the bright side.

As expected, he answered, “I don’t know at this point, but it’s difficult ……” about the possibility of leading any team in the 2023 World Cup.

There were rumors overseas that his native Australia, the U.S. team that will host the World Cup in 2031, and the Georgia team were interested, while there were also reports that a powerful French club may be targeting Mr. Jones …….

When we asked Mr. Jones what he plans to do, he replied, “There is a lot of gossip, but no possibility of a head coaching position for a club team. I think it will be clear by the end of January,” he stated categorically.

Jones, who will turn 63 on January 30, has roots in Austria and Japan and has a long history of coaching in both countries. He was also hospitalized with a mild stroke in 2013 while leading Japan’s national team. Considering his age and physical condition, he is expected to be the head coach of one of the two countries after the 2023 World Cup.

It is reported that the president of the Australian Association, which will host the 2027 World Cup, has already met with Jones by phone. His only daughter is currently working for the Australian Association.

Naturally, Jones has strong ties to Japanese rugby, having started his professional coaching career in 1996 with the Tokai University Rugby Club in Japan.

The current president of the Japan Rugby Union, Masato Tsuchida, has also had a relationship with Jones since 1997 as Suntory’s coach and conductor. Mr. Jones is a long-time advisor to Suntory and served as Suntory’s general manager and head coach from FY2009 to FY2011, and Mr. Tsuchida was the one who called Mr. Jones to join the team as head of the Reinforcement Division.

Mr. Jones said of Chairman Tsuchida, “I know him well! (in Japanese),” but he said he had “no plans” for a drinking session.

Many fans would like to see Mr. Jones, who has trained Suntory and Japan’s national team with rigorous early-morning practices, lead the national team once again.

When we asked Jones if he was interested in leading the national team, he replied, “My time in Japan was very good. If the Japanese national team is interested (in me), I would, but the interest has to come from the national team. ……

Given the relationship between Chairman Tsuchida and Mr. Jones, there is no doubt that some contact has been made. However, Mr. Jones is also a professional instructor, so he is probably in the process of assessing the environment and conditions.

Will Eddie Japan start up again after 2024? Or will Jones take over in his native Australia, where he led the team from 2001 to 2005? What will Jones say, “I will have a clear answer by the end of January?