Kazuo Imanishi

Kazuo Imanishi
今西 和男
Personal information
Date of birth (1941-01-12)January 12, 1941
Place of birth Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Empire of Japan
Date of death April 16, 2026(2026-04-16) (aged 85)
Place of death Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position Defender
Youth career
1956–1958 Hiroshima Funairi High School
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1959–1962 Tokyo University of Education
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1963–1969 Toyo Industries 42 (0)
Total 42 (0)
International career
1966 Japan 3 (0)
Managerial career
1984–1987 Mazda
1988–1992 Mazda
Medal record
Toyo Industries
WinnerJapan Soccer League1965
WinnerJapan Soccer League1966
WinnerJapan Soccer League1967
WinnerJapan Soccer League1968
Runner-upJapan Soccer League1969
WinnerEmperor's Cup1965
WinnerEmperor's Cup1967
WinnerEmperor's Cup1969
Runner-upEmperor's Cup1966
Representing  Japan
Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place1966 BangkokTeam
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kazuo Imanishi (今西 和男, Imanishi Kazuo; January 12, 1941 – April 16, 2026) was a Japanese football player and manager. A defender, he played for Toyo Industries and made three appearances for the Japan national team.

Club career

Imanishi was born in Hiroshima on January 12, 1941. After graduating from Tokyo University of Education, he joined his local club Toyo Industries (later Mazda) in 1963. In 1965, Toyo Industries joined new league Japan Soccer League. The club won the champions for four years in a row (1965–1968). The club also won 1965, 1967 and 1969 Emperor's Cup. He retired in 1969. He played 42 games in the league. He was named as part of the Best Eleven in 1966.

International career

In December 1966, Imanishi was selected for the Japan national team prior to the 1966 Asian Games. On December 10, he debuted against India. He played three games for Japan.[1]

Coaching career

After retirement, Imanishi became a manager for Mazda as Teruo Nimura's successor in 1984. This season was the first season the club was relegated to Division 2. He promoted the club to Division 1 in 1986. In 1987, he resigned as manager and was succeeded by Hans Ooft. However, the club was relegated to Division 2 again in 1988, and Imanishi returned to the club. Imanishi promoted the club to Division 1 in 1991 and he resigned in 1992. From 1994, he worked for the Japan Football Association until 2002. He also served as president at FC Gifu from 2008 to 2012.

Death

Imanishi died from pneumonia in Hiroshima on April 16, 2026, at the age of 85.[2][3]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League
DivisionAppsGoals
Toyo Industries 1965 JSL Division 1 90
1966 140
1967 140
1968 50
1969 00
Total 420

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[1]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Japan 196630
Total30

Honours

References

  1. 1 2 Japan National Football Team Database
  2. ↑ サンフレッチェ広島初代総監督 今西和男さんの訃報に接して (in Japanese)
  3. ↑ "Kazuo Imanishi has died at the age of 85; he was a mentor to Japan national football team manager Hajime Moriyasu". Jiji Press (in Japanese). 16 April 2026. Archived from the original on 8 May 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
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