Hiroki Iwamasa, who played an active role in his playing career and contributed to the league's three consecutive victories, will be appointed as the new manager of J1's Kashima Antlers.
The Antlers have finished 24 league matches this season and are in 5th place with 11 wins, 6 losses and 7 draws. The contract with director Rene Weiler was terminated.
According to Antlers, as a result of considering the successor coach, Iwamasa, who has been coaching the top team since this season, will be appointed.
New director Iwamasa is 40 years old from Yamaguchi prefecture.
After graduating from Tokyo Gakugei University, he joined the Antlers in 2004 and played an active role as a defender, contributing to the team's third straight league title, and also played eight games for the Japan national team.
After retiring as a player, he served as the coach of the Jobu University soccer team, and returned to his old club this season to coach as a coach.
Through the team, the new manager Iwamasa said, "The job of coaching the Antlers was certainly the future I had in my heart, but I never imagined it would be so soon." After that, he commented, "We will do our best to win all the remaining matches and win the title."