TOKYO - JAPAN'S former national team coach Ivica Osim has left intensive care and started rehabilitation after suffering a serious stroke last month, local media reported.

The 66-year-old Bosnian collapsed in November while climbing the stairs at his home after watching soccer on television and was in a coma for some time.

'He's in higher spirits than I would have imagined,' Japan Football Association General Secretary Kozo Tashima told reporters on Tuesday after visiting Osim.

Tajima was also forced to break the news that Osim had been replaced as coach by Takeshi Okada, 51, who previously served in the same job 10 years ago.

Osim's family had previously insisted information about his successor be kept from him until he was on the road to recovery, Kyodo news agency said.

'He's a very intelligent person, so I believe he is able to remain objective,' Tashima told reporters.

Osim took over from Brazilian Zico as Japan coach after the team's 2006 World cup flop. -- REUTERS