Celtic legend Shunsuke Nakamura returning to familiar surroundings

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The Celtic Star

·21 January 2026

Celtic legend Shunsuke Nakamura returning to familiar surroundings

Celtic legend Shunsuke Nakamura is poised to link up once again with familiar surroundings, with plans in place for him to assist J-League outfit Jubilo Iwata in a short-term coaching role…

21 11 06 – UEFA Champions League Group F Celtic v Man Utd 1 0 Celtic Park, Shunsuke Nakamura scores with his free kick. Manchester Utd Keeper Edwin van de Sar is stranded. Photo Ian Rutherford (IMAGO)

The ex-Japan international – who finished the latter stages of his illustrious playing career with the club – is expected to lend his expertise during an upcoming training camp.

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Jubilo Iwata will travel to Kagoshima for a four-day preparation period, where Nakamura, now 47, is set to take on a temporary mentoring role with the squad.

According to reports from Japanese outlet Sponichi Annex, the former Hoops midfielder will work closely with players and staff throughout the duration of the camp.

Shunsuke Nakamura, back at Celtic Park, Celtic v St Mirren, 14 December 2014. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

The report stated: “It was announced on the 19th [January] that Shunsuke Nakamura, a former Japan national soccer team player who served as a coach for Yokohama FC until last season, will serve as a temporary coach for J2 Iwata. He is expected to join the team, which is currently holding its spring training camp in Kagoshima, as early as tomorrow, the 20th.”

“Nakamura made his mark with Yokohama F. Marinos and Scotland’s Celtic before retiring from active play in 2022 and joining Yokohama FC. He served as a coach at the club from 2012 to 2013, retiring at the end of last season. This time, he has been appointed as a temporary coach in response to a ‘love call’ from his former club, where he played from 2017 to the summer of 2019. He is expected to coach until the 24th, the final day of Iwata’s training camp.”

Japanese international Shunsuke Nakamura arrives at Glasgow Airport 28 July 2005 for a meeting with Celtic. Nakamura says he’s still committed to joining Celtic despite his new club’s 5-0 midweek thrashing by Artmedia Bratislava. (Photo IAN STEWART/AFP via Getty Images)

Nakamura first emerged in professional football with Yokohama F. Marinos, earning a move overseas to Serie A club Reggina before becoming a fans favourite at Celtic.

During his time in Glasgow, Nakamura featured in 166 matches and found the net on 34 occasions. His career later took him to Spain with Espanyol, followed by a second spell back in Japan at Marinos.

Nakamura would go on to represent Jubilo Iwata and Yokohama FC, extending his playing days well into his forties before eventually hanging up his boots.

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