Takahiro Shimotaira facts for kids

Takahiro Shimotaira (下平 隆宏, Shimotaira Takahiro, born December 18, 1971) is a Japanese professional football manager. He used to be a player. Currently, he is the manager of the J2 League club V-Varen Nagasaki.

Playing Career Highlights

Takahiro Shimotaira was born in Gonohe, Aomori, Japan, on December 18, 1971. After finishing high school, he joined the Japan Soccer League club Hitachi in 1990. This club later became known as Kashiwa Reysol.

Becoming a Regular Player

By 1991, Shimotaira became a regular player. He played as a defensive midfielder. In 1992, the Japan Soccer League changed. His club then joined the new Japan Football League.

In 1995, his team, Kashiwa Reysol, was promoted to the top league, J.League Division 1. A big moment came in 1999 when the club won the J.League Cup. He played for Kashiwa Reysol for eleven seasons. During this time, he played over 250 games and scored eight goals.

Moving to FC Tokyo and Retirement

In May 2001, Shimotaira moved to FC Tokyo. By September of that year, he was made the team captain.

He returned to Kashiwa Reysol in 2003. He played 33 more league games in 2003 and 2004. Takahiro Shimotaira retired from playing football at the end of the 2004 season. He was 32 years old when he retired.

Coaching Career Journey

After ending his playing career, Shimotaira started coaching. He began at Kashiwa Reysol in 2005.

Coaching at Kashiwa Reysol

For many years, from 2005 to 2015, he worked as a scout and a manager for the youth teams. In 2016, he became a manager for the main team. He worked under manager Milton Mendes.

In March 2016, Mendes left the club. Shimotaira then became the new manager. In 2016, the team finished 8th in the league. The next year, in 2017, they did even better, finishing 4th. This allowed them to play in the 2018 AFC Champions League. However, the team's results were not good at the start of the 2018 season. He was dismissed in May when the club was in 14th place.

Leading Yokohama FC to Promotion

In 2019, Shimotaira joined J2 League club, Yokohama FC. He started as a head coach under manager Edson Tavares. In May, Tavares was dismissed. Shimotaira then became the club's new manager.

When Shimotaira took over, Yokohama FC was in 14th place. But he led the team to a fantastic 2nd place finish! This meant the team was promoted to the J1 League. It was their first time in the top league in 13 years.

Time with Oita Trinita

In December 2021, it was announced that Shimotaira would manage J2 League club, Oita Trinita. This was for the 2022 season. In his first season, Oita Trinita finished 5th. They almost got promoted but missed out after a 2–2 draw in the play-offs.

In his second season, Oita finished 9th. Shimotaira announced he would leave his role at the end of the 2023 season.

Managing V-Varen Nagasaki

Shimotaira was announced as the manager for V-Varen Nagasaki in February 2024. This was just nine days before the season's first game. The team had some issues with their previous manager, Fábio Carille.

V-Varen Nagasaki started the season very strongly. Shimotaira was even given the J2 League manager of the month award for April. This was because his team won all five of their games that month!

Club Statistics

Managerial Statistics

Honours and Awards

Takahiro Shimotaira has achieved several honours both as a player and as a manager.

As a Player

Kashiwa Reysol

• J.League Cup: 1999

As a Manager

V-Varen Nagasaki

• J2 League Manager of the Month award: April 2024

See also

In Spanish: Takahiro Shimotaira para niños