Yuji Okuma (大熊 裕司, Okuma Yuji, born January 19, 1969) is a former Japanese football player and manager. His elder brother Kiyoshi is also a former footballer.

Yuji Okuma
大熊 裕司
Personal information
Full name Yuji Okuma
Date of birth (1969-01-19) January 19, 1969 (age 55)
Place of birth Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1984–1986 Bunan High School
1987–1990 Chuo University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–1995 Kashiwa Reysol 92 (7)
1996–1997 Kyoto Purple Sanga 50 (1)
1998 Avispa Fukuoka 21 (0)
Total 163 (8)
Managerial career
2014 Cerezo Osaka
2016–2019 Cerezo Osaka U-23
2024- Tegevajaro Miyazaki
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career edit

Okuma was born in Saitama on January 19, 1969. After graduating from Chuo University, he joined Hitachi (later Kashiwa Reysol) in 1991. He played many matches as defensive midfielder from first season. In 1996, he moved to newly was promoted to J1 League club, Kyoto Purple Sanga. He played many matches in 1996 and he became a regular player in 1997. In 1998, he moved to Avispa Fukuoka and played in 1 season. He retired end of 1998 season.

Coaching career edit

After retirement, Okuma started coaching career at Avispa Fukuoka in 1999. In 2005, he moved to Cerezo Osaka and served as coach. In 2007, he became a coach for Japan U-20 national team. In 2010, he returned to Cerezo Osaka and became a manager for youth team. In September 2014, top team manager Marco Pezzaiuoli was sacked for poor results. Okuma became a new manager as Pezzaiuoli successor. However Cerezo finished at the 17th place of 18 clubs in 2014 season. Cerezo was relegated to J2 League and Okuma resigned a manager. In 2015, he became a manager for youth team. In 2016, he became a manager for new team Cerezo Osaka U-23.

Club statistics edit

Club performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total
1991/92 Hitachi JSL Division 1 16 0 16 0
1992 Football League 16 1 - 16 1
1993 Kashiwa Reysol Football League 16 2 1 0 6 0 23 2
1994 20 4 0 0 0 0 20 4
1995 J1 League 24 0 0 0 - 24 0
1996 Kyoto Purple Sanga J1 League 19 0 2 0 13 1 34 1
1997 31 1 2 0 5 0 38 1
1998 Avispa Fukuoka J1 League 21 0 3 1 4 0 28 1
Total 163 8 8 1 28 1 199 10

Managerial statistics edit

Update; December 31, 2018[1]

Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Cerezo Osaka 2014 2014 12 3 2 7 025.00
Cerezo Osaka U-23 2016 present 94 29 26 39 030.85
Total 106 32 28 46 030.19

References edit

  1. ^ J.League Data Site(in Japanese)

External links edit