Kawasaki Frontale have appointed former Avispa Fukuoka coach Shigetoshi Hasebe as their new manager, according to Kyodo News. The 53-year-old takes over from Toru Oniki, who stepped down after an extraordinary eight-year spell that delivered four J1 League titles, two Emperor’s Cups and a League Cup.
Hasebe’s appointment brings him back to familiar ground. The former midfielder played for Kawasaki in 1997, when the club transitioned from Fujitsu’s corporate team into a professional side competing in the Japan Football League. In a statement released by the club, Hasebe expressed pride in returning to lead the team where his professional journey began. “I am happy to be returning in this way to Frontale, where I was a member in the club's first year of establishment,” he said.
During his tenure at Avispa Fukuoka, Hasebe transformed the side into one of Japan’s most competitive outfits. He guided them to the 2023 League Cup title, their first major domestic trophy, before resigning at the end of the season. His success in Fukuoka solidified his reputation as a tactically astute and disciplined manager, traits that now position him as a natural successor to Oniki.
Before his breakthrough in Fukuoka, Hasebe worked as an assistant coach at Vissel Kobe and JEF United Chiba, gaining valuable experience in top-flight football. He then managed second-division club Mito Hollyhock from 2018 to 2019, where his emphasis on structured play and player development caught attention across the league.
Hasebe now inherits a Kawasaki Frontale side seeking to reclaim its dominance in the J1 League following a transitional season. With a mix of seasoned stars and emerging talents, expectations are high at Todoroki Stadium as the club embarks on a new era under one of Japan’s most respected homegrown coaches.
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