1. Overview
Jun Tamano is a former Japanese professional football player who played as a midfielder and forward. His career spanned from youth academies in Japan and Spain to professional clubs in Japan's J1 League and J2 League. After retiring as a player in 2009, Tamano transitioned into a diverse range of post-retirement activities, including football commentary for major sports broadcasters, writing columns, and venturing into sports administration and business. He notably held significant roles as a General Manager and Strengthening Director for Albirex Niigata, demonstrating his continued dedication and contribution to the sport beyond his playing days.
2. Personal Information and Background
Jun Tamano (玉乃 淳Tamano JunJapanese) was born on June 19, 1984, in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. His early football development began within the youth system of Verdy Kawasaki, which later became Tokyo Verdy, where he trained from his elementary school years. This foundational experience set the stage for his future professional career in football.
3. Playing Career
Jun Tamano's playing career encompassed significant periods in both youth development and professional club football, including an international stint in Spain and various engagements with Japanese clubs before his retirement.
3.1. Youth Career
Tamano's youth career began with Azamino SC in Japan. From 1994 to 1999, he was part of the Verdy Kawasaki junior youth organization. In 1999, at the age of 15, his performance at the Nike Premier Cup, where Verdy junior youth participated, caught the attention of Atlético Madrid. He subsequently joined Atlético Madrid's youth team, spending three seasons with the Spanish club until 2002. During his time there, he played alongside future star Fernando Torres. Tamano had an opportunity for promotion to Atlético Madrid B, the reserve team, but was unable to accept the offer due to not holding a Spanish passport. In 2002, he returned to Japan and rejoined the Tokyo Verdy youth team, where he was registered as a Type 2 player, allowing him to play for the top team while still officially part of the youth squad.
3.2. Professional Career
Tamano's professional journey saw him play for several clubs across Japan's top two divisions, contributing as an offensive midfielder and forward.
3.2.1. Tokyo Verdy
Jun Tamano made his professional debut for Tokyo Verdy in May 2002 in the 2002 J.League Cup. His J.League debut followed on September 18, 2002, in a Tokyo Derby match, where he was introduced as a substitute. Throughout his tenure from 2002 to 2005, he frequently appeared as an offensive midfielder, often coming off the bench. In 2005, he contributed to Tokyo Verdy's victory in the Emperor's Cup. However, despite his contributions, he struggled to secure a regular starting position. At the end of the 2005 season, Tokyo Verdy was relegated to the J2 League.
3.2.2. Tokushima Vortis
In 2006, Tamano moved to Tokushima Vortis on a loan transfer. During this first stint with the J2 League club, he became a regular player, featuring in many matches. After his time with Yokohama FC, he re-joined Tokushima Vortis in 2008. In his second spell, he again established himself as a key player, regularly appearing for the team.
3.2.3. Yokohama FC
For the 2007 season, Jun Tamano made a permanent transfer to Yokohama FC, a club that had just been promoted to the J1 League for the first time. However, he found limited playing opportunities during his time there. Yokohama FC finished at the bottom of the J1 League in the 2007 season, resulting in their immediate relegation back to the J2 League after only one year in the top flight.
3.2.4. Thespa Kusatsu
Tamano's final professional season was in 2009 with Thespa Kusatsu (now Thespakusatsu Gunma), a club in the J2 League. Similar to his time at Yokohama FC, he did not feature prominently in many matches during this period. His engagement with Thespa Kusatsu marked the conclusion of his playing career.
3.3. Retirement
Jun Tamano officially announced his retirement from professional football on December 24, 2009, at the end of the 2009 season, bringing an end to his active playing career.
4. Post-Retirement Activities
Following his retirement from professional football, Jun Tamano embarked on a diverse range of activities, maintaining a strong connection to the sport through media, commentary, and administrative roles.
4.1. Football Commentary and Media Activities
In 2011, Tamano spent time studying language in Canada. Upon his return to Japan, he appeared on the football program Foot!, where he shared insights about his two and a half years with the Atlético Madrid youth team and expressed his passion as a dedicated fan of Real Madrid. Beginning in 2012, he became a prominent football commentator, primarily covering the J.League for J SPORTS. He also contributed to media as a columnist for Weekly Soccer Digest, where he ran a popular section titled "Tamano Jun's 'Good Luck with Your Second Career!!'", featuring interviews with former players about their post-playing transitions. His distinctive and enthusiastic commentary style, often described by fellow commentators like Tsuyoshi Shimoda as more "sensory" and "enjoying the game itself," garnered significant attention. In December 2014, his commentary partnership with Shimoda was highlighted on the television program Matsuko & Ariyoshi's Ikari Shinto as one of the "New 3 Great Broadcast Booths More Interesting Than the Match."
4.2. Sports Administration and Business
Tamano's post-retirement career also saw him delve into the business and administrative aspects of sports. On December 4, 2014, he announced a management contract with Balance Management Inc. On May 23, 2016, he launched "TAMAJUN JOURNAL," an online platform dedicated to supporting the second careers of professional athletes. On February 1, 2017, he established his own company, JAPAN TRENDY Inc., through which he began managing his activities independently. Towards the end of August 2017, Tamano made a significant career shift, stepping down from all football commentary and television appearances to enroll in Waseda University's School of Human Sciences. He stated his intention to gain "basic training" in business, indicating a strategic move towards a new professional goal. From 2017 onwards, he worked in the sports business division of Hakuhodo DY Media Partners. His involvement in football administration deepened when he was appointed General Manager of Albirex Niigata on December 18, 2019. He further took on the concurrent role of Strengthening Director for Albirex Niigata on March 28, 2020, following the retirement of his predecessor, Katsuo Kanda. However, his tenure in these roles concluded later that year; he resigned as Strengthening Director on November 18, 2020, and announced his resignation as General Manager effective December 31, 2020.
5. Statistical Records
The table below provides a comprehensive overview of Jun Tamano's club performance statistics throughout his professional playing career.
| 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 | ||||||
| 2002 | Tokyo Verdy | J1 League | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||
| 2004 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 | ||
| 2005 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| 2006 | Tokushima Vortis | J2 League | 34 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | 36 | 3 | |
| 2007 | Yokohama FC | J1 League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 2008 | Tokushima Vortis | J2 League | 37 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | 37 | 2 | |
| 2009 | Thespa Kusatsu | J2 League | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 9 | 0 | |
| Total | 112 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 126 | 8 | ||