Takashi Kiyama


Takashi Kiyama is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is the current manager of Vegalta Sendai.

Playing career

Kiyama was born in Itami on February 18, 1972. After graduating from University of Tsukuba, he joined Gamba Osaka in 1994. He played many matches as center back from first season. However his opportunity to play decreased for injuries from 1995. In 1998, he moved to Consadole Sapporo and played in 1 season. In May 1999, he joined Japan Football League club Mito HollyHock. He became a regular player as center back and the club was promoted to J2 League from 2000. He played as central player of defense until 2002. He retired end of 2002 season.

Coaching career

After coaching for University of Tsukuba and then the youth team of Vissel Kobe, he took his first top team coaching position for his former club Mito HollyHock in 2008. He has the record for the youngest person to coach a J2 League club at 36 years and 19 days, and was the first J2 League coach to be sent off in his debut match. He is also the first professional sports coach in Japan to go public about his decision to quit smoking.
Kiyama was the manager for J2 side JEF United Chiba at 2012 season, but after JEF failed to get the promotion to J1, he was released from the team on November 28, 2012, but he continued managing the club until their defeat to Kashima Antlers on 2012 Emperor's Cup at the quarterfinals.
Kiyama returned to Vissel Kobe as assistant coach in 2013.
On 16 December 2014, he was named manager of Ehime FC. With him in charge, the team finished 2015 season on 5th place, reaching the play-offs for its first time ever. He left the club after the end of 2016 season.
On 29 November 2016, Kiyama was named manager of Montedio Yamagata.

Club statistics

Managerial statistics

Update: December 31, 2018