Former Japan head coach Vahid Halilhodzic said Friday his dismissal earlier in the month came out of the blue and should have been avoided by the Japan Football Association.

"I have done so much for the team for three years since taking the job. I was very proud with what I was doing," he told a press conference at Tokyo's Japan National Press Club. "I'm very disappointed with the dismissal, and it lacked respect."

The JFA terminated the contract of the 65-year-old with just two months to go until the World Cup finals in Russia, despite the coach from Bosnia and Herzegovina having overseen the team's successful qualification.

Speaking before a contingent of more than 300 reporters, Halilhodzic stressed that the decision made by the association has jeopardized Japan's chances at the June 14-July 15 World Cup.

(Halilhodzic instructs Keisuke Honda during a World Cup warm-up match against Ukraine in Belgium on March 27)

"My job passed onto the next head coach even with preparations almost complete. The next head coach faces a difficult challenge," Halilhodzic said of his replacement, former J-League coach and JFA technical director Akira Nishino. "Why are they doing this now? It's the World Cup, the association has taken a huge risk."

The squad's performances in recent international friendlies and the players' loss of confidence in the manager proved insurmountable challenges to Halilhodzic's ongoing involvement, according to JFA Chairman Kozo Tashima.

Halilhodzic, who took the job in March 2015, said he learned after his dismissal that several players had expressed dissatisfaction. However, it was too late for him to do anything about it.

"If I was having problems, the president (Tashima) should have told me beforehand. Nishino could have said something as well," he said. "I really didn't see it coming, and I still don't understand how it happened."

"I had no problem communicating with the players for three years. I talked with them constantly," he said.

(Halilhodzic celebrates in Saitama, Japan, on Aug. 31, 2017, after the country earned a World Cup berth)

Halilhodzic guided Samurai Blue to 21 wins, nine draws and eight losses, including friendlies. However, pressure mounted after the team could only manage a 1-1 draw with Mali and a 2-1 loss to Ukraine in Belgium last month, with neither opponent bound for Russia.

Despite his frustration and confusion, he pledged he will continue to support the team on its World Cup tilt.

"I've been working with the Japanese team all these years, but I can't anymore. I can't guide them even when I feel like things are getting on track," he said. "I'm hurt like the Japanese supporters, but I don't know what to do about it."

"I will be a Japanese supporter forever. I hope they do well," Halilhodzic said. "It's not lip service...I still believe that the team and I have a strong connection."