Second-division Yokohama FC has sacked manager Yusuke Adachi after just one game of the new season and replaced him with coach and former Japan striker Takuya Takagi, Yokohama officials said Monday.
It is the first time a J. League manager has been sacked one game into a season, although Yokohama Vice President Hisao Sakamoto said the decision had nothing to do with Yokohama's 1-0 defeat to new J-2 club Ehime FC on Saturday.
"This decision wasn't based on that one game," said Sakamoto. "We took into account last season and also this year's preseason and came to the conclusion that it would be difficult to achieve promotion if things stayed as they are." Yokohama finished second from bottom in the standings last year.