Japan has named Italian Alberto Zaccheroni its new national team coach. The 57-year-old reportedly signed a two-year contract worth 2.36 million dollars with a two-year option.

Zaccheroni, who coached AC Milan to the 1998-99 Serie A title, replaces Takeshi Okada, who guided the Blue Samurai to the World Cup last-16 in South Africa -- its best World Cup performance on foreign soil, but left after the tournament.

Zaccheroni has been coaching Italian clubs since the age of 30 and took over struggling Juventus last January on a four-month contract. Juventus finished the season seventh.