Read the full story on SportsLook - [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Toru Oniki Leaving Kawasaki Frontale at the End of the Season
The end of an era is approaching for the J.League's Kawasaki Frontale. Toru Oniki, the most successful manager in the soccer league’s history with four titles, is leaving his post at the end of the 2024 season.
An announcement was made on Wednesday, October 16.
Frontale are set to conclude their season on December 8 against Avispa Fukuoka, and Oniki's contract will not be renewed.
With Oniki at the helm since 2017, Frontale captured J.League titles in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021.
Kawasaki completed the 2023 season in eighth place, finishing below the top four for the first time under Oniki, and currently sit in 10th place with an 11-11-11 record.
"We haven't had good results this year, so I am the only one who can take responsibility after being in charge for so long," Oniki said during an online news conference, according to NHK.
Reflecting on his tenure in charge, Oniki, 50, stated that Frontale's first J.League title during his managerial stint was the most memorable.
"The title was the result of everyone's hard work, so I feel a strong sense of accomplishment in winning it together with my teammates, including the supporters," Oniki told reporters.
What does Oniki think was his imprint on the team?
"Rather than the titles, I think I have contributed to the team in some way if the players and staff could sense that the passion and enthusiasm I have shown every day has not changed," he said.
Major Accomplishments for Toru Oniki
Under Toru Oniki's leadership, Frontale emerged as a consistent winner. (The team finished third under Yahiro Kazama in 2016, the season before he took over as manager.)
In his first six seasons in charge, Frontale placed first, first, fourth, first, first and second before slipping to eighth in 2023.
At the same time, Oniki's squad collected a slew of other trophies.
Frontale won the Emperor's Cup twice (2020, 2023), a trio of Fujifilm Super Cup titles (2019, 2021 and '24) and the 2019 YBC Levain Cup crown.
After establishing themselves as quality footballers under Oniki's watchful eye, a number of talented players left Kawasaki to continue their careers in Europe.
For instance, Kaoru Mitoma of the English Premier League's Brighton & Hove Albion was an integral part of Frontale's J.League titles in 2020 and '21. Mitoma scored a combined 21 goals in those two seasons.
In addition, 2019 J.League Rookie of the Year Ao Tanaka, another former key contributor for Frontale, is now playing for second-tier English side Leeds United. Moreover, veteran defender Shogo Taniguchi left Frontale in 2022 after nine seasons with the team and now competes for Belgian team Sint-Truiden.
And Reo Hatate appeared in 61 J.League matches from 2020-21 before leaving Frontale and joining Scottish Premiership squad Celtic FC.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
