Naohiko Minobe Explained

Naohiko Minobe
美濃部 直彦
Fullname:Naohiko Minobe
Birth Date:12 July 1965
Birth Place:Moriyama, Shiga, Japan
Height:1.76 m
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Asuka FC (manager)
Youthyears1:1981–1983
Youthclubs1:Moriyama High School
Years1:1984–1993
Clubs1:Gamba Osaka
Years2:1994–1995
Clubs2:Kyoto Purple Sanga
Caps2:42
Goals2:0
Manageryears1:2006–2007
Managerclubs1:Kyoto Sanga FC
Manageryears2:2008–2011
Managerclubs2:Tokushima Vortis
Manageryears3:2013–2015
Managerclubs3:AC Nagano Parceiro
Manageryears4:2021–
Managerclubs4:Asuka FC

is a Japanese football manager and former player. He currently manager of Asuka FC.

Playing career

Minobe was born in Moriyama on July 12, 1965. After graduating from high school, he joined Matsushita Electric (later Gamba Osaka) in 1984. He played many matches mainly as a right side back. In 1990, Matsushita Electric won the champions Emperor's Cup, the first major title in the club’s history. In 1994, Minobe moved to Kyoto Purple Sanga, playing in the Japan Football League. In 1994, he became a captain and played as a regular starter. In 1995, although his opportunity to play decreased, the club won 2nd place and was promoted to J1 League. However Minobe retired at the end of the 1995 season without having played in J1 at the club.

Managerial career

After retirement, Minobe became a coach for Kyoto Purple Sanga (later Kyoto Sanga FC) in 1996. He mainly managed the youth team until 2003.

In 2004, he became a coach for top team. In October 2006, manager Koichi Hashiratani was sacked and Minobe became the new manager as Hashiratani’s successor. However the season’s results were bad and the club was relegated to the J2 League. Although he started the season as manager in 2007, he was sacked in October.

In 2008, Minobe signed as manager with J2 club Tokushima Vortis. Although the club finished in bottom place in 2008, the club results improved each season after that and they finished in 4th place in 2011. Minobe resigned at the end of the 2011 season. In 2013, Minibe signed with Japan Football League club AC Nagano Parceiro, and led the club to win the league that year, meaning the club was promoted to the newly formed J3 League for the 2014 season. In 2014, although the club finished the 2nd place, they lost the promotion/relegation series, and were not promoted to J2. In August 2015, although the club place was doing well in 3rd place, Minobe resigned due to health problems.

On 12 January 2021, Minobe announcement officially manager of Kansai Soccer League club, Asuka FC for ahead of 2021 season.[1] On 24 November 2024, Minobe brought his club secure promotion to Japan Football League for the first time in history from next season after defeat J-Lease FC 2-1 in Takebishi Stadium Kyoto on Japanese Regional Football Champions League final round of matchweek 3.[2]

Club statistics

Club performanceLeagueCupLeague CupTotal
SeasonClubLeagueApps GoalsApps GoalsApps GoalsApps Goals
JapanLeagueEmperor's CupJ.League CupTotal
1984Matsushita ElectricJSL Division 2
1985/86
1986/87JSL Division 1180
1987/88JSL Division 2
1988/89JSL Division 1301040
1989/90700070
1990/9121100211
1991/9218130211
1992Gamba OsakaJ1 Leaguecolspan="2"-112132
19931320040172
1994Kyoto Purple SangaFootball League29030colspan="2"-320
199513000colspan="2"-130
Total1224411011366

Managerial statistics

.[3]

TeamFromToRecord
GWDLWin %
Kyoto Sanga20062007
Tokushima Vortis20082011
AC Nagano Parceiro20142015
Asuka FC2021present
Total

Honours

Manager

Asuka FC

2024

Notes and References

  1. 【ポルベニル飛鳥】監督就任のお知らせ. ポルベニルカシハラ. 2021-01-12. 2021-01-12.
  2. 美濃部マジック! 飛鳥FCが関西1部初優勝からの“地域CL初出場&初優勝”! 2025シーズンからJFL参入へ【Road to JFL】. news.yahoo.co.jp. 2024-11-24. 2024-11-24.
  3. https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFIX07/?staff_id=1034 J.League Data Site