Naoki Imaya (今矢 直城, Imaya Naoki, born 18 June 1980) is a Japanese football manager and former footballer who played as a midfielder or forward. He currently manager of Tochigi City FC.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Naoki Imaya | ||
| Date of birth | 18 June 1980 | ||
| Place of birth | Tokyo, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker, Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Tochigi City FC (manager) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000 | Blacktown City | 25 | (6) |
| 2001 | Canberra Cosmos | 21 | (3) |
| 2002 | Blacktown City | 22 | (6) |
| 2002 | Adelaide Galaxy | 10 | (4) |
| 2003 | Blacktown City | 22 | (1) |
| 2003–2004 | Neuchâtel Xamax | 8 | (0) |
| 2004 | La Chaux-de-Fonds | 12 | (0) |
| 2005 | Blacktown City | 11 | (4) |
| 2005–2006 | New Zealand Knights | 11 | (0) |
| 2006 | Marconi Stallions | ||
| 2007–2008 | VfB Lübeck | 12 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2010–2017 | Waseda United | ||
| 2022– | Tochigi City FC | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
editAs a child he moved to Sydney Australia with his parents at age 10. He played for various Australian clubs before moving to Switzerland. He played in the first season of the A-League with the New Zealand Knights before returning to NSW state league football with Marconi Stallions.[1]
In July 2007 he signed a contract with VfB Lübeck, a traditional club from Lübeck in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein playing in the 3rd German Regionalliga Nord.[2] He was released by the club after six months due to financial problems.[3]
Managerial career
editImaya is now coaching football to young children in Japan and no longer pursuing a professional career.[4]
On 12 November 2021, Imaya announcement officially appointed manager of Tochigi City FC in the Kantō Soccer League Division 1 from 2022.[5] On 26 November 2023, Imaya brought his team winning 2023 Japanese Regional Football Champions League after defeat Tsukuba FC 0-4 in final matchweek of RCL and promotion to Japan Football League from 2024 season.[6] On 17 November 2024, Imaya brought his team secure champions of 2024 Japan Football League and promotion to J3 League for the first time in history from next season after defeat Atletico Suzuka 6-0 in matchweek 29 at Kanseki Stadium Tochigi as final home game.[7][8]
Managerial statistics
edit- As of match played 17 November 2024
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | |||
| Tochigi City FC | 1 February 2022 | present | 85 | 52 | 16 | 17 | 61.18 |
| Total | 85 | 52 | 16 | 17 | 61.18 | ||
Honours
editManager
edit- Tochigi City FC
References
edit- ^ Naoki Imaya's Football Vision
- ^ Naoki Imaya – Fussballdaten – Die Fußball-Datenbank
- ^ Cultural divide changing between Australia and Japan
- ^ Nao Castle
- ^ "【TOP】今矢直城氏 監督就任のお知らせ" (Press release). 栃木シティFC. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "栃木・今矢監督は来季も続投 3季目はJFL挑戦". Tokyo Football. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "Ｊリーグ入会（Ｊ３）について：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Ｊ３昇格決定のお知らせ" (in Japanese). Retrieved 17 November 2024.
External links
edit- Naoki Imaya Interview
- naokis-castle 442
- Profile at Tochigi City FC (in Japanese)
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