Hisashi Kurosaki

2.1. Early Life and Youth Career

Born on May 8, 1968, in Awano-machi, Kamitsuga District, Tochigi Prefecture (now part of Kanuma City), Kurosaki showed early promise in football. He attended Utsunomiya Gakuen High School (now Bunsei Geidai Fuzoku High School), where he was considered a future Japan national team prospect. Notably, football critic Sergio Echigo once endorsed him as a player destined for the national team. Kurosaki participated in the National High School Soccer Championship twice. In January 1986, as a second-year student, he helped his team reach the semifinals of the 64th tournament, defeating Teikyo High School, which was aiming for its third consecutive championship. Despite losing to Shimizu Municipal Shimizu Commercial High School in the semifinals, Kurosaki was the tournament's top scorer with 5 goals. In the following year's 65th tournament, his team, which included defender Seiichi Negishi a year below him, lost to Muroran Ohtani High School in a memorable quarterfinal penalty shootout that ended 14-15. Anecdotes from his high school classmates suggest he was a bright student who performed well academically despite often napping during classes. He stands 73 in ^{(185 cm)} tall and weighed 174 lb ^{(79 kg)} during his playing days.

2.2. Club Career

Kurosaki's professional club career began in 1987 and saw him play for six different teams across the Japan Soccer League (JSL) and the J.League.

2.3. National Team Career

Hisashi Kurosaki represented the Japan national football team from 1989 to 1997, earning 24 caps and scoring 4 goals. He debuted for the national team on May 5, 1989, in a match against South Korea.

He participated in important international competitions, including the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and the 1990 Asian Games. After a three-year absence, Kurosaki was recalled to the national squad in 1993. During his national team career, he faced competition for a starting forward position with other talented players, notably Takuya Takagi, who shared a similar tall striker profile.

A notable achievement in his national team career was at the 1995 Dynasty Cup in Hong Kong, where he was the top scorer of the tournament, filling in for the absent Kazuyoshi Miura.

Kurosaki's international A-match appearances are detailed below:

Kurosaki's international goals for Japan are as follows:

2.4. Player Statistics

This section presents a summary of Hisashi Kurosaki's key playing statistics across his club and national team careers, including appearances and goals. In addition to league and major cup competitions, he also participated in other official matches such as the JSL Cup, Konica Cup, J.League Championship, and the Asia Club Championship.

2.5. Player Honors

Hisashi Kurosaki achieved several team and individual accolades during his playing career:

• J1 League
  • Winner: 1996 (with Kashima Antlers)
• Emperor's Cup
  • Winner: 1997 (with Kashima Antlers)
• J.League Cup
  • Winner: 1997 (with Kashima Antlers)
• Japanese Super Cup
  • Winner: 1997 (with Kashima Antlers)
• Dynasty Cup
  • Top Scorer: 1995
• Antlers Meritorious Service Award
  • Awarded: 2009

3.1. Coaching Qualifications and Early Roles

Kurosaki quickly transitioned into coaching, acquiring his JFA Class B Coach license in 2004. In the same year, he began his coaching career at his former club, Kashima Antlers, as a junior youth coach. He also served as a coach for the U-15 Japan national team during their expedition to Brazil. From 2004 to 2005, he was a coach for the JFA's National Training Center, contributing to the development of young Japanese talent. He then coached the Kashima Antlers youth team from 2005 to 2006. In 2006, he further advanced his qualifications by obtaining the prestigious JFA Class S Coach license, which is required to manage professional clubs in Japan.

3.2. Albirex Niigata Manager

In 2007, Kurosaki returned to another of his former clubs, Albirex Niigata, joining their top team as a coach. He was promoted to head coach in 2009 before taking over as manager in 2010.

His managerial tenure at Albirex Niigata saw mixed results. In the 2010 season, the team struggled initially, going winless for the first eight matches. However, they found their form with a 2-1 victory over Vissel Kobe in the 9th round, which sparked a four-match winning streak, the first since 2004. This momentum contributed to an impressive 11-match unbeaten run, ultimately leading the team to a 9th-place finish in the J1 League.

The 2011 season began with a promising five-match unbeaten streak. However, the team endured a challenging period from May to June, going nine matches without a win. With only seven matches remaining in the season, after the 27th round, Albirex Niigata found themselves precariously close to the J2 relegation zone, with only a two-point lead over 16th-placed Ventforet Kofu. The team managed to pull through with three consecutive victories, securing their J1 League status in the 32nd round with a draw against Gamba Osaka, finishing 14th. Despite avoiding relegation, the season concluded with a poor run of form in November, where the team managed only one draw and four losses in five official matches, including a defeat to Matsumoto Yamaga FC from the Japan Football League (JFL) in the third round of the Emperor's Cup.

Kurosaki continued as manager for the 2012 season. However, the team's struggles persisted, starting with three consecutive league defeats. A particularly heavy 1-6 loss to Júbilo Iwata in the 12th round contributed to the team's poor standing, with a record of two wins, three draws, and seven losses, placing them 17th after 12 rounds. As a result of the team's downturn in performance, Kurosaki resigned as manager on May 21, 2012. This marked the first instance of a mid-season managerial change in Albirex Niigata's club history.

3.3. Omiya Ardija Coach

After his departure from Albirex Niigata, Kurosaki maintained his involvement in football and community activities. On February 1, 2013, he rejoined another former club, Omiya Ardija, as an instructor for their Regional Produce Department. His role expanded later that year, as he was appointed to the top team coaching staff on June 6, 2013. He was further promoted to head coach on September 5, 2014. However, his tenure at Omiya Ardija concluded on May 28, 2017, when he was dismissed from his head coach position along with manager Hiroki Shibuya due to the team's poor performance. Keiji Kaimoto was appointed as his successor.

3.4. International Coaching and Other Activities

Beyond his club coaching roles, Kurosaki has engaged in various other football-related activities and international experiences. Following his departure from Albirex Niigata, he was appointed as a "Kanuma Furusato Taishi" (hometown ambassador) for Kanuma City in Tochigi Prefecture, his birthplace. In this role, he contributed to community development, including organizing soccer classes for junior high school students. He also worked as a football commentator for Sky PerfecTV! Premium Service.

In December 2017, Kurosaki participated in an overseas dispatch program for JFA-certified coaches, spending four months studying coaching methodologies in Germany, primarily focusing on Fortuna Düsseldorf in the 2. Bundesliga.

Upon his return, on June 20, 2018, he rejoined Kashima Antlers as a top team coach, replacing Atsushi Yanagisawa, who had resigned due to disciplinary issues. In this role, Kurosaki contributed to Kashima Antlers' historic victory in the 2018 AFC Champions League. He departed with manager Go Oiwa after the 2019 season and served as an Academy Technical Coach for Kashima Antlers in 2020.

Kurosaki then moved to China, taking on significant coaching roles in the Chinese Super League. In February 2021, he was appointed head coach of Shandong Taishan at the invitation of manager Hao Wei. During his time there, he played a key role in the club's success, contributing to their league title and Chinese FA Cup double in 2021. In 2023, he served as an assistant coach for Wuhan Three Towns. As of 2024, Hisashi Kurosaki is the manager of Qingdao West Coast in the Chinese Super League.

3.5. Managerial Statistics

This section provides a summary of Hisashi Kurosaki's key managerial statistics, including matches managed, wins, draws, and losses for the teams he led.

• Note: For the 2012 season with Albirex Niigata, Kurosaki was dismissed on May 21, and the record reflects his performance up to the end of the 12th round, when the team was in 17th place.