Fujieda MYFC appoints Tomoaki Makino as new manager
On 12 December 2025, Fujieda MYFC officially announced that Tomoaki Makino, the 38-year-old former Japan national team defender, will become the club’s new manager. He is set to take charge of the team from the 2026/27 season. According to the club’s announcement, Makino shares Fujieda’s vision of building a team that the whole region can enjoy together, and has pledged to create a stadium atmosphere that makes “weekends something to look forward to” for supporters.
Fujieda MYFC currently sit 15th in the J2 League (as of 30 November 2025). Based on the lessons of the 2025 season, the club is embarking on a new era, aiming both for improved league position and more attractive, entertaining football under the new regime.
Tactics and team vision – why Makino fits Fujieda MYFC
During his playing days, Makino was highly rated for his libero-style defending and build-up ability. He often stepped into midfield or joined attacks down the flanks, providing both defensive stability and an extra option going forward.
As a coach, he is seen as favouring a style that starts from a solid defensive base while seeking to increase the tempo in attack. This “defend first, then break quickly” approach is widely viewed as an efficient way to collect points over a long J2 League season, where consistency is crucial.
Makino has spoken of his desire to “see a new horizon together with the supporters”. By emphasising quick transitions between defence and attack and a community-based style of football, his ideas appear to match Fujieda MYFC’s club philosophy of regional revitalisation and stronger entertainment value. The combination of tactical discipline and an enjoyable matchday experience is at the heart of the club’s expectations for the new manager.
As preparations begin for the next J2 campaign, attention will turn to how Makino reshapes Fujieda’s tactical structure – from their defensive organisation to how they press, counter and involve the wide players – and what kind of “new Fujieda MYFC” will emerge under his leadership.
Profile – Tomoaki Makino, new Fujieda MYFC manager
- Date of birth: 11 May 1987 (age 38)
- Place of birth: Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
- Playing career: Sanfrecce Hiroshima Youth → Sanfrecce Hiroshima → 1. FC Köln → Urawa Reds → Vissel Kobe
Career appearances & goals
- J1 League: 415 matches / 46 goals
- J2 League: 41 matches / 7 goals
- League Cup: 46 matches / 5 goals
- Emperor’s Cup: 21 matches / 4 goals
- AFC Champions League: 56 matches / 5 goals
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2 matches / 0 goals
- Bundesliga: 8 matches / 0 goals
International career
- Japan youth national teams (U-17 to U-20)
- Japan senior national team (2009–2019)
- Japan caps: 38 appearances / 4 goals
- Participant at the 2018 FIFA World Cup (Russia)
Coaching career
- Head coach, Shinagawa CC second team (2023)
- Head coach, Shinagawa CC first team (2024–2025)
Coaching licence
- Japan Football Association JFA Pro Licence
Official announcement (Fujieda MYFC X / Twitter)
On the club’s official X account @fujiedamyfc_pr, Fujieda MYFC announced that Tomoaki Makino has been appointed as the new manager and will lead the team both in the Meiji Yasuda J.League 100-Year Concept League and from the 2026/27 season onwards, inviting fans to check the full details and comments via the link below.
▶︎ Fujieda MYFC official announcement & comments (X post, Japanese)
With Makino’s arrival, Fujieda MYFC are aiming to fuse solid tactics with strong entertainment value, opening a new chapter in the club’s J2 story alongside their supporters.
