Kazuo Imanishi
Japanese football player and manager (1941–2026)
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Kazuo Imanishi (今西 和男, Imanishi Kazuo; January 12, 1941 – April 16, 2026) was a Japanese football player and manager. A defender, he played for Toyo Industries and made three appearances for the Japan national team.
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | January 12, 1941 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Empire of Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | April 16, 2026 (aged 85) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Defender | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1956–1958 | Hiroshima Funairi High School | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1959–1962 | Tokyo University of Education | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1963–1969 | Toyo Industries | 42 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 42 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1966 | Japan | 3 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1984–1987 | Mazda | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1988–1992 | Mazda | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club career
Imanishi was born in Hiroshima on January 12, 1941. After graduating from Tokyo University of Education, he joined his local club Toyo Industries (later Mazda) in 1963. In 1965, Toyo Industries joined new league Japan Soccer League. The club won the champions for four years in a row (1965–1968). The club also won 1965, 1967 and 1969 Emperor's Cup. He retired in 1969. He played 42 games in the league. He was named as part of the Best Eleven in 1966.
International career
In December 1966, Imanishi was selected for the Japan national team prior to the 1966 Asian Games. On December 10, he debuted against India. He played three games for Japan.[1]
Coaching career
After retirement, Imanishi became a manager for Mazda as Teruo Nimura's successor in 1984. This season was the first season the club was relegated to Division 2. He promoted the club to Division 1 in 1986. In 1987, he resigned as manager and was succeeded by Hans Ooft. However, the club was relegated to Division 2 again in 1988, and Imanishi returned to the club. Imanishi promoted the club to Division 1 in 1991 and he resigned in 1992. From 1994, he worked for the Japan Football Association until 2002. He also served as president at FC Gifu from 2008 to 2012.
Death
Career statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | ||
| Toyo Industries | 1965 | JSL Division 1 | 9 | 0 |
| 1966 | 14 | 0 | ||
| 1967 | 14 | 0 | ||
| 1968 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 1969 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 42 | 0 | ||
International
Honours
- Japan Soccer League Best Eleven: 1966
