1. Overview
Daizo Okitsu (興津 大三Okitsu DaizōJapanese, born June 15, 1974) is a former Japanese association football player who primarily played as a forward and later as a midfielder. After a professional playing career with Shimizu S-Pulse and Cerezo Osaka, Okitsu transitioned into various significant roles within Japanese football, including scouting, coaching, and management. His post-retirement career saw him contribute to player development and club strengthening, notably as a scout for Shimizu S-Pulse and as the first General Manager of the Arsenal Soccer School Ichikawa. This article details his journey from a promising youth player to a respected figure in Japanese football administration and coaching.
2. Early Life and Education
Daizo Okitsu's foundational years in football were shaped by his youth and university experiences, leading him to professional ranks.
2.1. Childhood and Youth Career
Born on June 15, 1974, in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, Okitsu began his football journey early. He participated in the Nishiawaji Minato Soccer Youth Team. For his junior high education and football, he attended Nishiawaji Town Mihara Junior High School from 1987 to 1989. He then continued his development at Shimizu Commercial High School from 1990 to 1992, a prominent school known for its football program.
2.2. University Career
Following his high school graduation, Okitsu enrolled at University of Tsukuba in 1993, continuing his football career there until 1996. During his university tenure, he played as a forward and was widely recognized as the "number one rookie" from the university ranks, drawing significant anticipation for his professional prospects.
3. Playing Career
Daizo Okitsu's professional playing career spanned from 1997 to 2000, primarily in the J1 League.
3.1. Club Career
Okitsu joined J1 League club Shimizu S-Pulse in 1997 after completing his university studies. In his debut year, he actively played many matches as a forward. However, from 1998 onwards, his playing time significantly decreased. In 2000, he transferred to Cerezo Osaka, where he took on a new role as a midfielder. He concluded his professional playing career at the end of the 2000 season.
3.2. Club Statistics
Okitsu's professional playing statistics are detailed below, encompassing his appearances and goals in league, cup, and league cup competitions for Shimizu S-Pulse and Cerezo Osaka. His statistics also include notable contributions during his university years in the Emperor's Cup and other official matches.
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J.League Cup | Total | ||||||
| 1997 | Shimizu S-Pulse | J1 League | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2000 | Cerezo Osaka | J1 League | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Total | 29 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 36 | 1 | ||
Additional Official Matches:
- Emperor's Cup:** Okitsu played a total of 6 matches and scored 1 goal in the Emperor's Cup throughout his career. This includes 3 appearances with 1 goal during his time at Tsukuba University, 2 appearances with 0 goals for Shimizu S-Pulse, and 1 appearance with 0 goals for Cerezo Osaka.
- Other official matches:** In 1999, he participated in 1 match in the Tokai Championship.
4. Post-Retirement Career
After retiring as a player, Daizo Okitsu embarked on a multi-faceted career within Japanese football, contributing significantly through scouting, coaching, and management roles.
4.1. Scouting and Team Formation Roles
Immediately following his retirement from playing, Okitsu joined the Shimizu S-Pulse Strengthening Department. He served as the Scout Manager and was also responsible for team formation. In this capacity, he played a crucial role in identifying and acquiring several notable players who would go on to have significant careers. These players include Shinji Okazaki, Jungo Fujimoto, Genki Omae, and Takuya Honda, all of whom contributed significantly to Shimizu S-Pulse. He remained in this role until 2013.
4.2. Coaching Career
Okitsu has held various coaching positions across different levels of football education. In 2001, he served as a coach for the football club at Takigawa Daini High School. The following year, in 2002, he became a coach at the Shimizu S-Pulse Soccer School, contributing to youth development within his former club's system. More recently, in 2017, he coached the football club at Shimada Shosei High School. Since 2020, he has been the director of the Boscovilla Soccer Academy, which operates in partnership with Nara Prefectural Yamabe High School, further demonstrating his commitment to nurturing young talent.
4.3. General Manager (GM) Career
In 2014, Okitsu took on a significant management role as the General Manager (GM) of the Arsenal Soccer School Ichikawa. This was the first official permanent soccer school established in Japan by the English Premier League club Arsenal FC. In this capacity, Okitsu oversaw the school's establishment and operations, aiming to implement Arsenal's football philosophy and training methods in Japan. He served as the GM until his resignation in 2016.
5. Assessment and Legacy
Daizo Okitsu's career, both as a player and especially in his post-retirement roles, has left a notable impact on Japanese football. As a player, while his professional career was relatively short, he was highly regarded coming out of university.
His true legacy, however, lies in his contributions to player development and club strengthening after retiring from active play. As a scout and team formation coordinator for Shimizu S-Pulse, Okitsu demonstrated a keen eye for talent, being instrumental in bringing in players who became key figures for the club and even for the national team. This work played a vital role in the strategic growth of Shimizu S-Pulse during his tenure. Furthermore, his role as the inaugural General Manager of the Arsenal Soccer School Ichikawa showcased his capabilities in establishing and managing a major international football academy, introducing global football methodologies to Japan. His various coaching roles at high school and academy levels also underscore his continuous dedication to nurturing the next generation of Japanese footballers. Overall, Okitsu is recognized for his comprehensive involvement in different facets of the sport, from playing to talent identification and leadership, significantly contributing to the Japanese football community.