FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Softbank Hawks head coach Koji Akiyama will take over as the team's new manager for outgoing skipper Sadaharu Oh, baseball sources said Tuesday.

Akiyama, 46, is scheduled to give a press conference upon the team's return to Fukuoka on Wednesday.

The 68-year-old Oh will leave his post after 14 years due to health reasons.

Softbank had considered hiring a new manager from outside the organization with the team finishing in the bottom half of the Pacific League standings for the first time in 11 years.

The club ultimately decided on Akiyama, whom Oh has relied on as his chief assistant.