Coaching shakeup and other tidbits

Former National team defender and Vegalta Sendai headman Satoshi Tsunami (pictured below) is out as head coach of Tokyo Verdy according to Sanspo.com (via Verdy blog) http://www.sanspo.com/soccer/top/st200612/st2006120107.html

The speculation is that Tetsuji Hashiratani will take over as number 2 man on the squad. The article also said that if the team has a season like last year, the head office will not fail to find a new coach. If memory serves, Hashiratani's brother was the head man for a powerful J2 Kyoto Sanga in 2005 and a pathetic J1 Kyoto Sanga in 2006. If he is added to the squad, look for Ruy to be on the way out. Currently there are 7 openings in J2 for new coaches (Tokushima, Ehime, Mito, Kyoto, Sendai, Sapporo, C Osaka). I'm guessing that outside of Sendai and Sapporo (outgoing Omiya coach Miura is the frontrunner for that job), Tsunami's name will be mentioned.

Morimoto makes the bench for the big club

While he didn't make it out onto the pitch, Young Morimoto managed to get onto the bench in a Serie A game for Catania. A 2-2 tie against bottom table Ascoli is Morimoto's first memory of the big time.

Corrections and Additions

Marcus scored the last goal of the season for Verdy not Silva and it came on a 85th minute pk. Killoran made the bench but did not play while Kohei Kiyama cracked the lineup late.

EL GOLAZO says that.......

Yoshinori Takagi was the team MVP for 2006.......I can't argue with that assessment. Kinda like the old joke about being the most popular guy in a prison shower but Takagi had a pretty good season. Congratulations Yoshinori!