The Hanshin Tigers unveiled batting coach Yutaka Wada as the club's new manager at a press conference on Friday.
"I have a grasp of our club's current ability. We just need to add a little spice to build up our team and we will be able to contend for the championship," said Wada, who replaces Akinobu Mayumi at the helm.
Wada, who has agreed to a three-year contract, will get the team started under his new regime at an autumn camp in Kochi Prefecture next month.
"He knows about both the good times and bad times of Hanshin. He knows what the team is capable of at this time of transition," said Hanshin team owner Shinya Sakai.
Wada was drafted by Hanshin in 1985 and played out his career with the Central League team, retiring as a player-cum-coach in 2001. The Tigers had said they would appoint their new manager from within the organization.