The 58-year-old former Rangers star is expected to arrive in Japan on Saturday to start work at Chiba and will attend their league match against Kyoto Sanga.

Former Nagoya Grampus player Shigeo Sawairi will serve as interim manager for this weekend's game and will join Miller's coaching staff once the Scot's paperwork has been finalised.

"We are convinced that Mr Miller is a wonderful person who can improve our team," said Chiba president Hirotake Miki.

"We, as the whole club, would like to work together with our new manager to focus on our games for the rest of the season."

Chiba are bottom of the J.League standings after collecting just two points from 11 games so far this season - a run which led to Croatian coach Josip Kuze being sacked on Wednesday.

Former St Mirren and Hibernian manager Miller joined Liverpool in 1999 as chief scout but became a first-team coach following the arrival of Rafael Benitez in 2004.

Benitez confirmed he would seek a replacement for Miller during the close season.

"It is very positive news for Alex. This is a very good opportunity for him to coach in Japan," he told Liverpool's website.

"It means we will be promoting some of the existing coaching staff and also over the summer we will be looking to bring in a replacement.

"We have some names and options but need more discussion first.

"I want to wish Alex all the best in his new job."