As if the excitement of the last leg of the title chase isn't enough, news now comes in that the doors to the Todoroki dressing rooms have already started revolving.
The biggest news is that Takashi Sekizuka - the man who steered Frontale from J2 obscurity to the ACL quarter finals - is officially to resume control of the team as of next season. Tsutomu Takahata will revert to his former role as assistant coach.
Sekizuka was forced to quit as coach in April 2008 for health reasons, but it seems the door has always been left open for him should he wish to return. And after a season of rest and recuperation he's now decided there's unfinished business to attend to.
When he does return, however, he'll have 5 fewer faces to choose from as it's also been announced that contracts will not be renewed for the following players:
FW Kazuki Ganaha
MF Masahiro Ohashi
MF Taku Harada
MF Tatsuya Suzuki
FW Ken Tokura
Ganaha's had a torrid couple of seasons. First there was the year out due to "garlic-gate". Then, just as he's starting to regain some form, Renatinho arrives on the scene. Still, he's proven his quality in the past and will be a good signing for a team that can make the most of his abilities.
Ohashi's another player who'll benefit from finding a club that can give him more first team opportunities. Like Ganaha, Ohashi suffered from the mid-season signings. Before Vitor Junior's arrival, he was threatening to cement a place in the starting eleven. Ever since, he's been glued to the bench with the occasional 5 mintes here and there.
I haven't seen enough of the other 3 to make any meaningful comment, but thanks and good luck to them all.
