Toru Oniki's Departure Marks End of an Era for Kawasaki Frontale

• April 10, 2025
• Ethan Carrington
• 0 Comments

Toru Oniki, the architect of an unprecedented era of success for Kawasaki Frontale, has announced he will be leaving his managerial post at the end of the 2024 season. This decision comes after years of remarkable achievements and a significant impact on Japanese football, with Oniki steering the team to a J.League record of four titles in the span of his leadership.

Oniki took charge in 2017, breathing new life into a club that has since become a powerhouse in Japanese football. Under his guidance, Kawasaki claimed the J1 League crown four times—2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021—setting a new standard for what sustained excellence looks like in the league. Beyond the league titles, the team also triumphed in other domestic tournaments, capturing the Emperor’s Cup twice, the Fujifilm Super Cup thrice, and the YBC Levain Cup. These accomplishments have solidified Oniki’s reputation as one of the most successful coaches in the league's history.

Despite the many laurels, recent years haven't been as kind. Kawasaki Frontale faced challenges, finishing 8th in 2023 and sliding down to 10th in 2024. These results prompted some to speculate about Oniki’s future with the club. However, in announcing his departure, Oniki was quick to remind everyone of the incredible team effort behind their historic highs, fondly reminiscing about the 2017 championship that set the wheels in motion for what followed.

However, Oniki's influence extends beyond just winning games and titles. His leadership coincided with the nurturing of talents who have ventured into the broader world of European football. Players like Kaoru Mitoma, Ao Tanaka, Reo Hatate, and Shogo Taniguchi, who now play for clubs like Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds United, Celtic FC, and Sint-Truiden respectively, all honed their skills under Oniki's watchful eye and have since made a name for themselves internationally.

As Kawasaki Frontale prepare for life post-Oniki, the club has turned to Shigetoshi Hasebe, a former manager of Avispa Fukuoka, to lead them into a new chapter starting in 2025. The transition plan is already underway, with Hasebe set to officially take the reins after the team's final 2024 season match against his former club, Avispa Fukuoka, on December 8.

Oniki leaves behind a legacy that will be difficult to match, having set a high bar for what can be achieved in Japanese club football. Yet as one chapter closes, both Oniki and Frontale fans will look forward to what comes next, embracing the new challenges and opportunities ahead.