Former Japan men's football manager Alberto Zaccheroni has regained consciousness after suffering a head injury at his home in Italy, local media reported Saturday.
The 69-year-old was unconscious when he was admitted to an intensive care unit after falling and hitting his head Friday, according to Italy's ANSA news agency.
Zaccheroni steered AC Milan to the Serie A championship in 1999 and also managed Inter, Lazio and Juventus among a host of prominent Italian clubs before he was appointed as Japan boss in 2010.
Japan stunned Argentina 1-0 in their first game under Zaccheroni and also achieved other impressive results in friendlies against strong opponents such as France and the Netherlands.
He led Japan to their most recent Asian Cup title in 2011 in Qatar and was in charge at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, stepping down after the Samurai Blue exited from the group stage without a win.
Zaccheroni was a member of FIFA's technical study group at last year's World Cup in Qatar.
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Football: Ex-Japan boss Alberto Zaccheroni in hospital after hitting head
