Kazuo Imanishi

Kazuo Imanishi
Personal information
Full name	Kazuo Imanishi
Date of birth	January 12, 1941 (age 82)
Place of birth	Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
1956–1958	Hiroshima Funairi High School
1959–1962	Tokyo University of Education
Senior career*
Years	Team
1963–1969	Toyo Industries
Total
National team
1966	Japan
Teams managed
1984–1987	Mazda
1988–1992	Mazda
Honours
Toyo Industries
Representing Japan
Asian Games
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Kazuo Imanishi (今西和男, Imanishi Kazuo, born January 12, 1941) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

Biography[change | change source]

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 4 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 selected Best Eleven in 1966.

In December 1966, Imanishi was selected the Japan national team for 1966 Asian Games. At this competition, on December 10, he debuted against India. He played 3 games for Japan in 1966.

After retirement, Imanishi became a manager for Mazda as Teruo Nimura 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 a manager and Hans Ooft became a new manager. However, the club was relegated to Division 2 again in 1988. Imanishi became a manager as successor Ooft again in 1988. Imanishi promoted the club to Division 1 in 1991 and he resigned in 1992. From 1994, he worked for Japan Football Association until 2002. He also served as president at FC Gifu from 2008 to 2012.