Veertien Mie announced on the 18th that it had appointed Shimoda Masahiro (霜田正浩) as its new manager and made Higuchi Shiro (樋口士郎) general manager. Ahead of the season opener, the club is strengthening its structure, with the manager and general manager sharing responsibility for overseeing the team.
The operating company of Veertien Mie held a press conference at the club’s clubhouse in Kuwana, explaining measures to strengthen the structure of its top team. According to the announcement, Shimoda Masahiro (霜田正浩) has been appointed manager, while Higuchi Shiro (樋口士郎), as general manager, will oversee the team and support the manager.
Shimoda is a former player who has managed Renofa Yamaguchi FC, RB Omiya Ardija and Matsumoto Yamaga FC, among others, and has also served as chairman of the technical committee and in other positions at the Japan Football Association. At the press conference, Shimoda said he aims to play football that takes responsibility for wins and losses and creates conditions in which the players can compete with courage.
President Goto said that the club had been looking for an experienced head coach in connection with Higuchi’s appointment as manager, but met Shimoda at the end of July and persuaded him to take the role. He explained the decision to adopt the new structure despite the season opener being imminent.
Higuchi said he believed the best way to create a J.League club in Mie Prefecture was to bring out the full potential of Shimoda’s abilities, and indicated that he also intended to be involved in matchday bench duties. Shimoda said he would pursue consistent football aimed at promotion while balancing performance and results.