Naoki Imaya (今矢 直城, Imaya Naoki, born 18 June 1980) is a Japanese football manager and former footballer who played as a midfielder or forward. He currently manager of Tochigi City FC.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Naoki Imaya | ||
| Date of birth | 18 June 1980 | ||
| Place of birth | Tokyo, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker, Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Tochigi City FC (manager) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000 | Blacktown City | 25 | (6) |
| 2001 | Canberra Cosmos | 21 | (3) |
| 2002 | Blacktown City | 22 | (6) |
| 2002 | Adelaide Galaxy | 10 | (4) |
| 2003 | Blacktown City | 22 | (1) |
| 2003–2004 | Neuchâtel Xamax | 8 | (0) |
| 2004 | La Chaux-de-Fonds | 12 | (0) |
| 2005 | Blacktown City | 11 | (4) |
| 2005–2006 | New Zealand Knights | 11 | (0) |
| 2006 | Marconi Stallions | ||
| 2007–2008 | VfB Lübeck | 12 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2010–2017 | Waseda United | ||
| 2022– | Tochigi City FC | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
editAs a child he moved to Sydney Australia with his parents at age 10. He played for various Australian clubs before moving to Switzerland. He played in the first season of the A-League with the New Zealand Knights before returning to NSW state league football with Marconi Stallions.[1]
In July 2007 he signed a contract with VfB Lübeck, a traditional club from Lübeck in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein playing in the 3rd German Regionalliga Nord.[2] He was released by the club after six months due to financial problems.[3]
Managerial career
editImaya is now coaching football to young children in Japan and no longer pursuing a professional career.[4]
On 12 November 2021, Imaya announcement officially appointed manager of Tochigi City FC in the Kantō Soccer League Division 1 from 2022.[5] On 26 November 2023, Imaya brought his team winning 2023 Japanese Regional Football Champions League after defeat Tsukuba FC 0-4 in final matchweek of RCL and promotion to Japan Football League from 2024 season.[6]
Managerial statistics
edit- As of match played 3 November 2024
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | |||
| Tochigi City FC | 1 February 2022 | present | 83 | 51 | 15 | 17 | 61.45 |
| Total | 83 | 51 | 15 | 17 | 61.45 | ||
Honours
editManager
edit- Tochigi City FC
References
edit- ^ Naoki Imaya's Football Vision
- ^ Naoki Imaya – Fussballdaten – Die Fußball-Datenbank
- ^ Cultural divide changing between Australia and Japan
- ^ Nao Castle
- ^ "【TOP】今矢直城氏 監督就任のお知らせ" (Press release). 栃木シティFC. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "栃木・今矢監督は来季も続投 3季目はJFL挑戦". Tokyo Football. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
External links
edit- Naoki Imaya Interview
- naokis-castle 442
- Profile at Tochigi City FC (in Japanese)
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