Hanshin Tigers manager Akinobu Okada has offered to resign after his team missed out on this season's Central League title, Hanshin said Sunday.
Okada notified club president Nobuo Minami of his decision to quit when they met before Hanshin took on the Chunichi Dragons in its final game of the regular season Sunday night.
While Hanshin is trying to persuade Okada not to step down, the 50-year-old manager, who has told his players of his intentions Saturday, appeared determined to quit when he spoke to reporters on Sunday.
"I said to the president that I'm sorry that we failed to win the league championship and (quitting) is what I've already decided about my future," Okada said, indicating he will not return for the 2009 season even if Hanshin wins the Japan Series.
Minami and owner Shinya Sakai said Hanshin will continue efforts to keep Okada at its helm.
"We won't give up trying to persuade (Okada to stay)," Minami said.