Yutaka Akita facts for kids
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 6 August 1970 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Nagoya, Aichi, Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.80 m | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Defender | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | Kochi United (manager) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hosei Junior High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1986–1988 | Aichi High School | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993–2003 | Kashima Antlers | 334 | (20) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2006 | Nagoya Grampus Eight | 57 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Kyoto Sanga | 14 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 405 | (23) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995–2003 | Japan | 44 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teams managed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010 | Kyoto Sanga | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2013 | Machida Zelvia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2022 | Iwate Grulla Morioka | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025– | Kochi United | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Yutaka Akita (秋田 豊, Akita Yutaka, born 6 August 1970) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He was a strong defender who played for the Japan national team until 2003. Akita is set to become the manager of Kochi United starting in 2025.
Contents
Playing Career: A Strong Defender
Yutaka Akita was known as a very strong and physical player. He was also one of the best at heading the ball in the J1 League. Many people thought he was one of the top defenders of his time.
Club Successes
Akita played for the Kashima Antlers for ten years, starting in 1993. He was a key player for the team. With Kashima Antlers, he won many important titles:
- The J1 League (Japan's top football league) 4 times.
- The J.League Cup 3 times.
- The Emperor's Cup 2 times.
He was also chosen for the "Best Eleven" team 4 times, which means he was recognized as one of the best players in the league. In 2004, Akita left Kashima to play for his hometown team, Nagoya Grampus Eight. Later, he moved to J2 League side Kyoto Sanga FC in 2007. He announced his retirement from playing football in November 2007.
Playing for Japan
Akita first played for the Japan national team on October 24, 1995, against Saudi Arabia. He played in the 1996 Asian Cup.
He became a regular player for Japan in 1997. That year, Japan made history by qualifying for the 1998 World Cup for the very first time! Akita played in all matches at the 1998 World Cup and the 1999 Copa América.
In 2002, he was chosen for Japan's team for the 2002 World Cup. Even though he was on the team, he did not play in any matches. After the 2002 World Cup, he became a regular player again under the new manager, Zico. His last game for Japan was on June 8, 2003, against Argentina. He played a total of 44 games for Japan and scored 4 goals.
Managerial Career
After retiring as a player, Akita started coaching. He began his coaching career at Kyoto Sanga FC in 2008.
First Manager Roles
In July 2010, Akita became the manager of Kyoto Sanga FC. However, the club was moved down to the J2 League, and he resigned at the end of the season.
He then joined Tokyo Verdy in 2012. Later that year, he became the manager for FC Machida Zelvia. He left that role in June 2013.
Leading Iwate Grulla Morioka
On December 4, 2019, Akita officially became the manager of Iwate Grulla Morioka for the 2020 season. On December 6, 2021, Akita led his club to a big achievement. They were promoted to the J2 League for the first time ever! This happened after they drew 1-1 against Azul Claro Numazu in their final match. Akita left the club in 2022 after they were moved back down to the J3 League for 2023.
Future Role at Kochi United
On December 22, 2024, it was announced that Akita will be the official manager of Kochi United starting from the 2025 season. Kochi United is a newly promoted J3 club.
Honours and Achievements
Yutaka Akita achieved many great things during his football career, both as a player and as a manager.
As a Player
- With Kashima Antlers
- J1 League Champion: 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002
- J.League Cup Winner: 1997, 2000, 2002
- Emperor's Cup Winner: 1997, 2000
- Individual Awards
- J1 League Best Eleven: 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001
- Selected to AFC All Star Team: 1998
As a Manager
- With Iwate Grulla Morioka
- J3 League Runner-up: 2021 (This meant the team was promoted to J2 League)
See also
In Spanish: Yutaka Akita para niños
