Tokyo Verdy appoints Naoki Soma (相馬直樹) after eight winless league games
In short
Tokyo Verdy announced Naoki Soma (相馬直樹) as its new manager on October 8. The team is 19th in the 20-team J1 league after four draws and four defeats, and his first match will be against Hiroshima on October 11, Nikkei reported.
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Tokyo Verdy has appointed Naoki Soma (相馬直樹) as manager after beginning its J1 league campaign without a win in eight matches. The club announced the appointment on October 8. Soma, 55, takes over a team with four draws, four defeats and four points, leaving it 19th in the 20-team league, according to Nikkei. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
The club announced the departure of previous manager Hiroshi Jofuku (城福浩) on October 5. Mynavi News reported that Jofuku had led the team since June 2022 and secured promotion to J1 in the 2023 season. Nikkei said Soma's first match in charge would be the J1 fixture against Hiroshima on October 11. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
In a statement reproduced by Mynavi News and Nippon TV News, the club pointed to Soma's playing record, managerial experience and ability to build aggressive pressing and organised defending. It said it expected him to develop the defensive work established under Jofuku and help the team move more smoothly into attack. The club also said Soma's agreement with its vision for the future was the decisive factor in his appointment. [ 1 , 4 ]
The club said its ambitions extended beyond staying in J1 to competing near the top and challenging for the title. Its immediate priorities included reorganising coordinated pressing from the front, keeping clean sheets and recovering its scoring threat from quick counterattacks after winning the ball high up the pitch, according to the statement carried by Mynavi News. [ 1 ]
Soma is a former Japan defender who played for Tokyo Verdy, Nikkei reported. He has managed Kashima and Kawasaki and combined the manager and general-manager roles at Kagoshima in 2025. In comments released through the club, he said he would work without setting limits on himself in pursuit of victory. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The appointment follows the dismissal of Hiroshi Jofuku (城福浩) after a winless start. The club says it wants Soma to strengthen its pressing and organised defence while improving transitions into attack.
Key facts
- Tokyo Verdy announced Soma's appointment on October 8. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- The team has four points from four draws and four defeats and stands 19th out of 20 teams. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Jofuku's departure was announced on October 5. [ 1 , 4 ]
- Nikkei says Soma's first match will be against Hiroshima on October 11. [ 3 ]