It’s Almost Certain That Kimiyasu Kudo Will Be Named the New Manager of the Chunichi Dragons… But Here’s the Name of the Homegrown Former Player Who Was the Only One “Fully Motivated”

“To end my life without ever having served as a manager or coach…”

It was announced that Chunichi Dragons Manager Kazuki Inoue (55) will step down at the end of this season, and the team is now searching for his successor. Manager Inoue was promoted from the farm team manager position to succeed former manager Kazuyoshi Tachinami (57) and led the first team for two years.

“He was recruited by his close friend, former Hanshin Tigers manager Akihiro Yano (57), and served in various roles, including first-team head coach. Expectations were high for him as a man who knew the Central League well.After hanging up his uniform, he spent a long time appearing in the media as a commentator and even referred to himself as a ‘communication monster.’ However, after becoming the first-team manager for the Chunichi Dragons, that approach may have backfired; it’s said that young players sometimes looked at him askance, remarking, ‘Manager, you seem out of place…’

“It would have been fine if he’d delivered results, but the team has now been confirmed to finish in the B Class for two consecutive years. Since dismissing him outright would have put him in a difficult position, the club, as a gesture of consideration, presented it as though ‘Manager Inoue had voluntarily resigned,’” said a team official.

During the era of former manager Hiromitsu Ochiai (72), the Chunichi Dragons were in the pennant race almost every year, but the team has now sunk to the B Class for six consecutive years, including this season. With a turnaround urgently needed, Kenyu Asada, the team’s general manager, is spearheading the effort to recruit a manager from outside the organization.

“He was the driving force behind bringing in Motohiro Shima (41), formerly of the Rakuten Eagles and Yakult Swallows, as head coach. To carry out a major overhaul, the club had been searching for the next manager from outside the organization.Many homegrown alumni are taking a wait-and-see approach, saying, ‘We don’t want to take over a team that’s been stuck in the B Class for years and play “lost causes.”’” (Ibid.)

Normally, it is customary for team management to make behind-the-scenes contacts during the summer to gauge interest, but this time they seem to have been caught off guard.

“In addition to Kimiyasu Kudo (63), names such as Masumi Kuwata (58) were being mentioned, but it was unclear whether negotiations would be finalized, and the team had even considered promoting Head Coach Shima from within the organization. However, reports have now emerged that Kudo’s appointment is all but certain. I think they did a good job wrapping up negotiations in such a short time.

“However, former players who have served in leadership roles at the Chunichi Dragons all agree that ‘it’s really tough to manage a support staff made up entirely of homegrown talent.’“No matter who becomes manager, the success of the team next season will depend on how much support Owner Uichiro Oshima, Club President Hiroyuki Kato, and General Manager Asada can provide to the new manager,” said a former team official.

While it has become the norm for managers to come from other teams, there is reportedly one homegrown alumnus who was the only one “absolutely raring to go.”

“Masashi Yamamoto (61), who is over 60 and has not worn a uniform even once since his retirement, has been saying, ‘I don’t want to end my life without ever having served as a coach or manager.’ There are reports that he was even considering forming a coaching staff, clinging to a sliver of hope…” (Ibid.)

Can the “Strong Dragons” be rebuilt?