Kudo Kimiyasu (工藤 公康) is expected to become the new manager of the Chunichi Dragons and has led SoftBank to five Japan championships, according to people familiar with the matter. The timing of his appointment has not been decided, according to another explanation.
Kudo Kimiyasu (工藤 公康) is expected to become the new manager of the Chunichi Dragons, according to people familiar with the club. Manager Inoue Kazuki (井上 一樹), who was in his second year in the position, announced his resignation due to poor results, and the club had begun working on personnel arrangements for his successor. Club president Kato Hiroyuki (加藤 宏幸) told reporters in Nagoya that direct talks had been held regarding the offer and that an acceptance had been received. The timing of Kudo's joining the team has not been decided, and the club plans to take the lead in personnel decisions concerning team composition and coaching staff.
Kudo, who is from Aichi Prefecture, won 224 games in his career as a pitcher for Seibu and other teams. After retiring in 2010, he led SoftBank for 7 seasons from 2015, achieving 3 league championships and 5 Japan Series championships. He has never played for Chunichi and has worked as a baseball commentator, among other roles.