Meiji Yasuda Life J1 League’s Gamba Osaka has reportedly dismissed manager Tomohiro Katanozaka (51), but SNS has raised criticism of the club’s leaders.
After working as a coach at Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Gamba Osaka, Tomohiro Katanozaka led Oita Trinita for six seasons from 2016. At the beginning of his appointment, he demonstrated solid skills, such as leading a team that belonged to the J3 league to return to J1.
After the end of last season, he became the manager of Gamba Osaka. Although Gamba Osaka had been accumulating points in the early stages of this season, they lost four straight games from Round 14, Cerezo Osaka (Osaka Derby) on May 21st. And following drawing in the 19th match once morest Urawa Reds on July 2, they struggled with 1 draw and 4 losses in 5 league matches. On the 14th of this month, they lost 0-2 to Shimizu S-Pulse, rivals in the J1 relegation battle.
As for director Tomohiro Katanozaka’s departure, some media in Japan reported the possibility of continuing the pitch the day following the match once morest Shimizu S-Pulse. However, on the 16th, it was reported that the dismissal would be certain, and Hiroshi Matsuda, who had just joined the cabinet as a coach on the 9th of this month, is expected to take over as director.
In response to the news of manager Tomohiro Katanozaka’s dismissal, Twitter criticized the commander and the club executives, saying, “The front should reflect on the situation,” “It’s just that Katanozaka and Gamba didn’t get along,” and “The executives should quit first.” is rising.
In addition, Tomohiro Katanozaka has accumulated a lot of achievements so far, so comments such as “It’s so popular”, “Please come to my house!”, “Please come back to Oita Trinita” are also seen.
Furthermore, regarding the possibility of coach Hiroshi Matsuda taking command as a successor, there are voices saying, “I had guessed when Hiroshi Matsuda entered the cabinet,” and “Was the invitation of Hiroshi Matsuda a stepping stone for dismissal?”
With 10 games remaining in the league, Gamba Osaka has only collected 22 points, and is now in 17th place, three points behind 15th-placed Shonan Bellmare, who are in the relegation zone of J1.
