2025 day job outlook: 8 teams change coaches +3 teams rebuild many potential dark horses[weirushui]
2025-02-26
Morning show is back! The opening game of the 2025 season of the Japanese professional League is about to start on the evening of February 14, the Osaka Derby is imminent, and Osaka Steel Bar will face Osaka Sakura at home. The return of the Japanese professional league makes the competition after the Spring Festival of the snake suddenly become hi. In the new season, eight teams in the Japanese professional League changed coaches, and Kawasaki Forward, Yokohama Mariners and Kashiba Ahara 3 teams faced lineup reconstruction. And last season, Black Ma Machida, Tokyo Green eye covetously, as well as the old team Shimizu return to the Japanese professional League, there are many potential dark horses. What are the highlights of the new season in the Japanese professional League? How have the teams changed? Let's take you to understand ~ 1st file: Kobe Victory Ship, Kashima Antler, Machida Savia, Hiroshima Three Arrows, Urawa Red Diamond
1. Kobe Victory Ship
Head Coach: Yoshida Takayuki (2022.06.29)
Important aid: Koike Yuta, Matsuda Lu
Important transfers out: Yamaguchi Hoku, Kikuchi Ruito, Hatase Ryo
Last season, Kobe Victory Boat not only retained its title in the Japanese professional Federation, but defeated Osaka Steel in the Emperor Cup final to achieve a domestic double title. The main structure of the team was basically retained this season, but the recruitment was not strong, only four players returned from the expiration of the lease, and the club bought out the youth team player Kendou Hamazaki in the off-season. Kobe victory ship this season in the case of full thickness of the lineup, will shift the focus to the Asian Champions League elite, have the opportunity to impact the championship, for the league and the Asian Champions League rotation and investment attitude has become Kobe can continue to defend and even impact more crowns the biggest point of view.
In addition, the core of the attack is also a year older, breaking the state has a certain hidden danger. Kobe's overall lineup is more veteran, and under the limited off-season lineup reinforcement, there are variables in the prospect of defending the title, and the pressure of multi-line combat has become the X factor testing Kobe's championship heritage.
2. Kashima antlers
Head Coach: Oniguta (2025.02.01)
Important signings: Leo Ceara (silver boot last season), Ryotaro Araki (return after a year), Eiuke Shimoda, Kim Tae-hyun, Ryuta Koike
Important transfers: Towers, Rukwiniki, Nakama Hayabou, Naguo Shintaro, Shinzo Kamin (retired)
Kashima Antlers in last season's day staff changes, and after Popovich took office, Kashima although failed to improve the ranking, but Kashima in the past four seasons, the Japanese league for two consecutive fourth, two consecutive fifth, the overall strength and deposits are still the upper level of the league. Once coached Kawasaki for 8 years, and now return to the career of the team Kashima Antlers, ghost wood da's entry into the coach will undoubtedly enhance Kashima's new season championship, after all, ghost wood da in Kawasaki coach 8 years have 4 days of professional league crown experience, which is the most important point in Kashima.
Oniguda coached Kashima Antlers for the new season
In addition, Kashima in the summer window to attract full aid, not only the introduction of last season's Japanese league silver boots Leo - Ceara, in last season's Tokyo performance hot old Araki Ryotaro returned, and for the middle and back field has a number of reinforcement. After the adjustment of foreign aid to the front line and the reinforcement of the defense, the paper strength of Kashima Antlers has been significantly improved, and I believe that Ghost wood has more achievements in the new season of the Japanese professional League and become the leader of the championship.
3. Sawiya Machida
Head Coach: Tsuyoshi Kuroda (since 2023.02.01)
Important references: Ruito Kikuchi, Ohachi Okamura, Futaka Nakamura, Takuma Nishimura, Hiroyuki Maehara
Important transfers out: Kaito Shiba, Kimya Suzuki, Min-Kyu Jang
Machida's performance as a promoted horse last season is absolutely amazing, in fact Machida almost achieved the "Kaize" myth is not surprising, after all, Machida's lineup strength can send two sets of strength, the defensive line is excellent, and it is the team that conceded the fewest goals in the Japanese professional League last season. However, Machida in the offseason the biggest change is the original assistant Jin Minghui got the Japanese coach S certificate after the new season coach Fukuoka Hornets, good at conditioning the offensive Ma Kenji as the new season Machida assistant, he and Kuroda just can form coaching tacit understanding, become the new season Machida can be a black in the end of the key. Summer window Machi Tanaka backfield personnel have changed, new aid Nakamura Faka, Nishimura Takashi, former width to join is expected to make up for the offensive end of the lack of a sense of the short board. In the new season, the mature system and mature personnel Machida still have the opportunity to impact the top 4 in Japan.
4. Hiroshima Three Arrows
Head Coach: Skibe (2022.02.01)
Important references: Senbo Dazhi, Inoue Chaoyin
Important transfers out: Parthia, Sotirio
Last season, Hiroshima three arrows missed the league championship by 4 points, for Hiroshima three Arrows in the bottom half of the league is facing the pressure of the second tier of the Asian Champions League, so that the league once suffered 3 consecutive defeats and the league championship gradually far away, and the coach Skibe was not a big rotation is also controversial. The new season Hiroshima will face a multi-line battle throughout the year, undoubtedly testing Skibe's personnel rotation ability. Summer window Hiroshima introduced in Iwada last season eye-catching mixed-race striker Germain - good, but the new aid rely on personal ability to create a goal is doubtful, in addition to Hiroshima in the front field of a number of foreign aid to leave the team, so that Hiroshima shot conversion rate is also hidden danger. However, from the performance of the Japanese Super Cup, it is expected that Hiroshima will show a strong start to the new season, with the depth of the season, Hiroshima can appear top marksmen plaguing its bottleneck for the championship.
5. Urawa Red Diamond
Coach: Skorza (2024.09.07)
Important recruits: Danilo, Mateus-Savio, Takuro Kaneko (return to Europe), Kaito Shido (return to Machida when the lease expires), Taishi Matsumoto, Takuya Hagiwara (return to Europe), Boza
Important transfers: Umami Ohata, Yoshiho Koizumi, Yoda Sato, Yuya Uga (retired), Shinjo Kamin (retired)
Urawa Red Diamond last season only ranked 13th, although there are many strength players in the offensive side, but the Norwegian coach Hogmore coaching performance far below the club's lower limit, the middle of the season led Urawa in 2023 won the Asian Champions League champion coach Skorza fire line return, but Skorza is more inclined to train the defense, combined with a number of players in the season transfer to leave the team. Let the Urawa record is difficult to have more improvement, the middle and back field defense there is a lot of personnel weakness. Off-season coach Skorza retained his position, summer window for the central defence combination to make a significant adjustment, especially with the arrival of foreign aid Boza at the Barca level, Urawa is expected to re-form a more stable foreign aid double central defence combination. The introduction of MVP foreign aid Savio from Kasai Sun God is also extremely in line with Skorza's main defensive tactical system, coupled with the return of Hagihara Takuya, gold Takuro, and the return of foreign aid Shido Hai, Urawa's ability to quickly counter is expected to improve. The new season Urawa is a single line of combat, there is no doubt that Skorza has the opportunity to greatly strengthen the summer window lineup, and has the opportunity to impact the league higher ranking and even compete for the championship.
2nd tier: Steel Osaka, Nagoya Whales, Tokyo FC, Kawasaki Strikers, Yokohama Mariners
1. Steel Bar Osaka
Coach: Poatos (since February 01, 2023.02.01)
Important cited aid: Ibui Imano, Tangshan Xiangzi, Nanye Yao Hai, and I am empty
Important transfer out: Sakamoto Kazai, Dhawan
Last season, Osaka Steel bar's performance exceeded expectations, and the core Usami Yoshishi state outbreak has a lot to do with Sakamoto Icai chemical effect, so that steel's offensive tactics diversified, set pieces and corner tactics also have good changes, foreign teacher Poatos for steel bar's transformation has initially achieved results. In the off-season, despite the departure of Sakamoto Icai travel in Europe and the transfer of foreign midfielder Dawan to the Chinese Super League Beijing Guoan, the introduction of Tangshan Xiangzi and Nano Yao Hai has maintained the stability of the lineup, and the fluctuation of Osaka Steel Bar's results in the new season will not be too large, and it is expected to continue to impact the Asian Championship qualification through the league's high ranking.
2. Nagoya Whales
Head Coach: Kenta Hasegawa (2022.02.01)
Important references: Tsuyoshi Kodama, Tokumoto Yuhei, Yoda Sato, Yuya Asano, Daniel Schmidt, Miyazuki, Mateus Castro, Yuki Hara
Important transfers out: Langerank, Calabari, Ha Changlai
Nagoya Whale in the opening stage of last season slow heat led to once ranked relegation zone, but the old driver level coach Hasegawa Kinta self-correction ability is excellent, through the adjustment of the formation to gradually get rid of the relegation quagmire, and finally ranked in the middle of the league. Hasegawa Kenta led the team to win the Japanese League Cup championship, once again completed the renewal of the one-year coaching action. As the number of games lost last season is only stronger than the relegation of the three brothers, it is imperative to strengthen the defensive line in the off-season.
Nagoya is good at using Kenuke Nagai to charge, and the other nine players to grab the ball, such a tactical system is more suitable for cup football. In the off-season, Nagoya adjusted the goalkeeper position, but the new goalkeeper Daniel Schmidt was injured in pre-match training, which made the goalkeeper position hidden danger. In addition, welcome back Mateus Castro, who sold 2.8 million yuan for free, you know that the departure of this foreign aid became a single incentive for Nagoya tactics. The core of the new season Nagoya is a year longer, 35 year old Nagai Kenyou, 33 year old Inagaki Shiong and 31 year old Yamagishi Youke can continue to maintain the tactics of coach Hasegawa, Morishima Ji, Junker can show talent is also variable, high probability Nagoya is in the middle ranks of the Japanese professional.
3. Tokyo FC
Head Coach: Matsuhashi Takizo (2025.02.01)
Important references: Marcelo, Galtino, Hashimoto
Important transfers: Kodama Tsuyohei, Tokumoto Yuhei, Sato Ryunosuke, Araki Ryotaro, Oliveira (retired), Renkawa Tsuyoshi, Hara Kawa Takashi
FC Tokyo, as the capital of Japan, has a much stronger fan environment than its rival Tokyo Green (also known as Tokyo Beldi). Last season, Tokyo home and away points ability are ranked in the upper middle of the Japanese job, but the team's best scorer Ryotaro Araki winter window to return to the old main Kashima Antler, coupled with the financial situation of Tokyo FC is not good, the offseason aid action is not too much, just renew the former Japan international football player Yudo Nagato, loan Brazilian striker Marcelo, buy out Brazilian midfielder Galtino, From the West B Ebar signed back the old Hashimoto boxing, and once again replaced the 57-year-old local coach Matsubashi Rizo, FC Tokyo although in Japan has a beautiful offensive football, but often in a short period of time the defensive line conceding the situation is also frequent. Whether Matsubashi can improve the balance of attack and defense has become the biggest constraint factor to further improve the league ranking and impact the qualification of the Asian Champions League.
4. Kawasaki Striker
Head Coach: Maori Nagatabe (assumed office on February 01, 2025.02.01)
Important references: Tatsuya ITO, Tomosho Oseki, Ryosuu Kamibashi, Yuto Noda, Yamaguchi Runi
Important transfers: Takuma Ohto, Daiya Onano, Furuki Seki, Yuki Matsui
The Kawasaki striker is the second most prolific scorer in Japan, and junior forward Shin-Yamada was named Japan's top scorer last season with 21 goals and four assists in 27 appearances in 51 starts. However, Kawasaki is still heavy attack light defense, the number of conceded goals is the second most in the top half of the Japanese team, so far the Oniguda Kawasaki coach for 8 years to end, the reconstruction of Kawasaki must face the situation.
In the off-season, the club brought in the highly successful coach of Fukuoka, Maori Hasegabe, a homegrown scholar who is good at finding young players and has the same ability to improvise, and now the coach of Kawasaki has to reinvent the style and ensure a smooth transition during the rebuilding phase. After all, in the past, he coached Fukuoka the most without the ball, while Kawasaki the least without the ball. How to coordinate the speed of offensive and defensive transition has become the biggest point of view of the new season's lineup. For Kawasaki, the start of the new season and the distraction of the Asian Champions League Classic, there are huge variables in how the reconstruction effect of Hasegawa Maori.
5. Yokohama Sailor
Head Coach: Holland (since 2025.01.01)
Important references: Hirzon Kinones, Thomas Deng, Suzuki Dongichi, Park Ilkyu, Kimura Rei, Mizuma Koshige, Walsh, Ono Daiya
Important departures: Mizunuma Hirota, Honma - Justin, Kato led the 18 departures
Last season, Yokohama Mariners completed 61 games in the case of multi-line combat, and finally accepted the outcome of the four empty, although the threat of the Brazilian Trident attack of Yokohama Mariners is still full, but with the intensive schedule and injury tide, Yokohama Mariners conceded a number of goals tends to the forefront of the day, foreign teacher Kewell + took over the coach Hutchinson can not make Yokohama Mariners improve. In the off-season, Yokohama Mariners have a large number of changes in the management, due to the past two years without too much transfer action, resulting in Yokohama Mariners more reflected the characteristics of combat effectiveness without reinforcement.
Now from the strength of the city legion Nishinu took over the management of the club, thus opening the new team plan, the new season Yokohama Mariners coach by the England national team chief strategist Steve Holland, former Melbourne Victory coach Keith Norbo joined the assistant team. In the off-season, Yokohama Mariners streamlined the lineup, as many as 18 people left the club, and former Japan international Ryo Miyaichi, foreign players Yann Mateus, Anderson Lopez, and Elbe completed contract extensions. The new season Yokohama Mariners seek to solve some of the problems left over from last year, the new season Yokohama Mariners focus on the Asian Champions League elite knockout matches and league consideration, under the idea of rebuilding the team Yokohama Mariners record turbulence is not unexpected, league expectations do not look forward to too much.
3rd: Kyoto Immortal Bird, Tokyo Green Grass, Osaka Cherry blossom, Fukuoka Wasp, Niigata Swan
1. Kyoto doesn't die
Head Coach: Cao Guizhe (2021.02.01)
Important references: Mimoto Takuji, Tomoya Wakhara
Important transfers: Mikaku Yuki, Suzuki Dongichi, Toyokawa Yuta, Kimura Yuta, Yamada Yoshiki
Kyoto in the last season interpreted a ups and downs of the movie, the early defense of the season seems to lock the relegation places in advance, but from the middle and later stages of the season, including "gold left foot" Hirato Taki, foreign aid Rafael Elias, the new midfielder Mimoto Toji has been in a state of burst, so that Kyoto has become one of the best teams in the second half of the Japanese job, the Emperor Cup and even into the semifinals. This qualitative leap is closely related to the operation of general manager Ohxiong Qing. In the off-season, many leased players were bought out and left the team, and rotation players such as Mikaku Yudo, Suzuki Winter ichi, Toyokawa Yutai transferred, fortunately, Kuohara Dazhi, Fukuda Xinosuke successfully stayed on the team, and strong foreign aid Elliott exists, so that Kyoto is expected to play the role of a potential dark horse in the new season.
2. Tokyo Green
Head Coach: Sung Fuk-ho (2022.06.13)
Important references: Nishitani Ryo, Hiragawa Rei, Fukuda Yongya
Important transfer out: Tomoya Miki, Yasuhei Yamagoshi
As the promotion horse of last season, Tokyo Green, under the coach of the iron Shuai known as Fukuhiro City, played the sixth good result in the professional league, including Kimura Yuta, Yamami Daiden, Ayuno Weizuki, Yamada Yoshiki, Taniguchi Jundu, Weng Changsheng have good scoring, but Tokyo Green last season drew the most games with Fukuoka Hornets and Kashiba Sun God (38 rounds of 14 draws). Tokyo Green current captain Akaki Morita said in an interview that he hopes to convert more draws into wins, and the new season Tokyo Green prepare for the early season, seeking a better league ranking has become the biggest motivation.
3. Osaka Cherry Blossoms
Head Coach: Yassen Pappas (since 2025.01.01)
Important aid: Charensha, Gunzeon, Andrade
Important transfer out: Leo - Asela, Mixiong Shengya
Osaka Sakura last season once again staged a strong start, the trend of decline in the performance of the middle and late season, and finally ranked 10th in the Japanese job, and even the offensive and defensive performance was not as good as the Nagoya Whale, which was close to the ranking of low and high. In addition, Leo Ceara, who ranked second in the Japanese professional goalscorer list last season, transferred to Kashima Antler in the off-season, and midfielder Sunya Mikuma transferred to Dutch powerhouse Alkmaar. Osaka Sakura and many Japanese professional team training players are different, due to the good effect on the training of Leo - Ceala value, the summer window has more actions for foreign aid, and the new foreign aid attack group can make up for the vacancy after Ceala left the team, there is a big question. Osaka Sakura is one of the teams that lost more points when leading last season, and the new coach Pappas has not had an ideal coaching experience in the Newcastle Jets and Burinam League, which makes Sakura's prospects for the new season not optimistic.
4. Fukuoka wasps
Head Coach: Kim Ming-hui (2025.02.01)
Important references: Willington, Fujimoto Kazuki, Tomoya Miki, Shintaro Naguo, Nakano, Takaaki Shichi, Yuma Kohata
Important transfers out: Groly, Maeyuki, Miyagi, Hiratsuka Yuki, Satou Reme, Sakata Daiki
Fukuoka Hornets last season, the fourth lowest number of goals lost in the professional league, the main anti-counter-tactics coach Maori Nagaya coach can be credited, but with the reconstruction of Kawasaki Butanabe Maori, last season had served as big black horse town Dazevia's number one assistant Jin Minghui, after successfully taking the Japanese S level coach certificate, opened the first independent as the team's official head coach. For Jin Minghui and Fukuoka Hornets, whether the new season can rub off a spark has become the key to Fukuoka's ranking in the new season.
5. Niigata Swan
Head Coach: Shimori Daisuke (2025.02.01)
Important references: Ochiroku, Okamoto Masari, Fujita Kazumi, Yasimura Ken
Important transfers: Thomas Deng, Jean Shimada, Ryotaro ITO, Shunsuke Mito
Last season as the promotion horse Niigata Swan can complete the task in the relegation battle, and ITO Ryotaro play is very much related, the player not only has excellent personal scoring ability, but also can create opportunities for the team, but the core of the off-season departure, coupled with the core of the midfield Gao Yuyang, the side good Santo Shunsuke also left the team at the same time, obviously let the combat effectiveness of Niigata has declined significantly. Although there is a corresponding position of personnel supplement, but these new aid can really fill the combat effectiveness of the departed personnel is doubtful, the new season Niigata strength decline in the relegation role is very likely.
4th: Okayama Green Pheasant, Shimizu Agitato, Kashiba Sun God, Shonan Sea, Yokohama FC
1. Okayama Green Pheasant
Head Coach: Kiyama Takayuki (since 2022.02.01)
Important references: Masashi Sasaki, Kota Kudo, Esaka Ren Brown Noa Kenshin, Sato Sato Ryunosuke
Major Transfer out: None
Okayama has always had the competitiveness of competing for the promotion zone last season, and eliminated the veteran team Sendai Tanabata in the promotion play-off. The number of goals conceded in the season was the second fewest in the Japanese Second League, which is closely related to the tough defensive system created by the manager with the experience of J2 promotion, Takashi Kiyama, especially the goalkeeper Brodersen became one of the top goalkeepers in the Japanese second League last season. The offseason promotion of Ma Okayama was very much in motion, although including defensive versatile Haruka Honyama, Urawa rental Hayabhei Hayakawa and main rotation Yuo Tanaka left the team, but the rest of the upgrade roster framework was retained. In terms of aid, there are two good side players who are known as the ball pace-ends, Esaka Ren, Sato Ryunosuke and Kato Saint, so that Okayama's attack is more diversified. The new season of defensive promotion horse Okayama is easier to establish a foothold in the Japanese professional league, most of the following games, to remain cautious not to rush, is the way to survive.
2. Clear water agitation
Head Coach: Tadahiro Akiba (appointed 2023.04.03)
Important references: Bow field will be Hui, Lianchuan strong, Ahmed-Akhmedov
Important transfers out: Nakamura Rytaro, Aziz, Shuichi Kuda, Yuki Hara
Shimizu Heartbeat in the 2022 season in the final round of the Japanese league can be relegated to the situation, lost to Sapporo but fell into the Japanese League B, 2023 season promotion play-off lost to Tokyo Green Grass failed to return to the Japanese league, last season Shimizu is poised to strongly win the Japanese League 1, 2 rounds in advance to get the qualification of direct return to the Japanese league. As one of the founding teams of the Japanese professional league, Shimizu, naturally unwilling to be based only on the Japanese job, in the early years also had Dalian Shide in the Asian arena broke the wrist of Shimizu, hoping to reignite the brilliance of the past strong team, whether it is foreign aid or internal reference to the new season is not small, the offseason with the dry Guishi to renew for 1 year, and signed the Bulgarian international Ahmad - Akhmedov, In the new season, Shimizu strives to finish relegation early and strive for a higher league ranking.
3. The God of the Sun
Head Coach: Ricardo Rodriguez (since February 01, 2019)
Important citation: Narise Junhei, Kuboto Jiro, Watai Riki, Koizumi Kaho, Kojima Hensuke, Sugioka Dahui, Harada, Tanaka Hayato, Nakama Hayatou, Haragawa Riki
Important transfer out: Savio
Bo Sun God nearly 5 seasons of the league home play is extremely depressed, a number of seasons home win rate is even less than 30%, last season's thrilling completion of the relegation task of Bo Sun God, in the offseason not only completed the change of coach, even the core Savio sold, the former Wuhan three town coach Ricardo Rodriguez into the coach of Bo team, almost signed a new set of lineup, Such reconstruction poses both challenges and risks.
Last season, the number of goals lost in stoppage time is in the forefront of the day, Luo guidance known for football wisdom pays more attention to the integrity, the main transmission and control system highlights a "stable" word, and has repeatedly achieved achievements in training new people, which is very suitable for the team's environment, the future plan is naturally with the strength of the team out of the Savio era. Of course, Bai Sun God is in the throes of a new blood, and what performance on the road to relegation needs to be seen in the game.
4. Shonan Ocean
Head Coach: Tomoshi Yamaguchi (2021.09.01)
Important aid: Yoshida Shin (return when the lease expires)
Important transfers: Song Fan-keen, Abe Koyuki (retired)
Shonan Ocean as a typical league relegation team, last season played a lot of high scores of competition, especially in their home field strong is strong attributes can not be understated, in the key stage of relegation to reverse the situation of the strong team is not uncommon, the new season 21 year old player Suzuki Zhangdou became the new captain of Shonan, the young man said in a pre-season interview that Shonan new season goal is to compete for the title, But obviously Xiangnan's defensive problems are still a lot, although Xiangnan's main youth card, the fluctuation of the game brought by more young players can not be ignored, betting on the semi-full-court play of color friends can focus on the game of Xiangnan.
Shonan Ocean as a typical league relegation team, last season played a lot of high scores of competition, especially in their home field strong is strong attributes can not be understated, in the key stage of relegation to reverse the situation of the strong team is not uncommon, the new season 21 year old player Suzuki Zhangdou became the new captain of Shonan, the young man said in a pre-season interview that Shonan new season goal is to compete for the title, But obviously Xiangnan's defensive problems are still a lot, although Xiangnan's main youth card, the fluctuation of the game brought by more young players can not be ignored, betting on the semi-full-court play of color friends can focus on the game of Xiangnan.5. Yokohama FC
Head Coach: Shuhei Shikata (2022.02.01)
Important references: Suzuki Musashi, Nakano Kata, Suzuki Junya, Komai Shinari, Tsvetinovic, Yamazaki Kosuke, Shibuya Hoi, Shinbo Kaiuzu
Important transfers: Takeda Eijiro (retired), Yuji Roku, Mita Keikki, Caprini, Gabriel, Inoue Shio, Nakamura Takumi, Inoue Shio
Yokohama FC dropped to the bottom of the Japanese League in 2021, and returned to the Japanese League in the following season, but in 2023, the bottom of the Japanese League was relegated again, after last season's competition, Yokohama FC returned to the Japanese League as the second identity, for this typical Japanese elevator, Whether it can avoid the third direct relegation based on the Japanese professional federation has become the biggest point of view. From the characteristics of Yokohama FC personnel changes in the off-season, the tacit understanding of the lineup has become the bottleneck restricting the ceiling of this lift league, and the high probability Yokohama FC has to fight to avoid locking relegation qualification in advance. (Lucky star)