Frontale Kawasaki manager Toshiaki Imai announced his resignation Wednesday despite Frontale's 2-0 win over Verdy Kawasaki in the second leg of the Nabisco Cup quarterfinals at Kawasaki's Todoroki Stadium.
Frontale advanced to the semifinals of the annual tournament, but Imai, 45, who took the helm after the dismissal of Brazilian manager Zeca on May 4, failed to reverse the team's poor results.
Frontale, a J1 newcomer this season, is likely headed for a quick return to J2 after finishing 15th out of 16 teams in the first stage. It is currently 15th in the second stage with five matches remaining.