STRUGGLING ALBIREX AND COACH SPLIT UP

SPL winner Yoshinaga replaced by assistant Shigetomi after now local outfit’s poor start

- Deepanraj Ganesan

For years, Japanese coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga was synonymous with an all-conquering Albirex Niigata, who dominated the Singapore Premier League (SPL) with a squad comprising mainly Japanese youth players.

But, following a poor start to the 2024-25 season, the defending champions announced on July 13 that they have parted ways with the four-time Coach of the Year by mutual consent.

The Jurong East-based side, who converted into a local outfit this season, added that assistant coach Keiji Shigetomi will take over till the end of the season.

Shigetomi, 45, is no stranger to the main role at Albirex, having been at the helm from 2019 to 2021, a spell in which the Japanese helped the club to the league title in 2020 and won the Coach of the Year gong.

Albirex chairman Daisuke Korenaga said: "Coach Yoshinaga has not only brought many trophies to Albirex Singapore but has also helped build our culture, philosophy and professionalism. Without a doubt, Yoshinaga is a significant part of this club's history. I wish him success in his future endeavours."