JapaneseFootballerDefenderManager

Michiharu Otagiri

Michiharu Otagiri is a Japanese former professional football defender who played for several clubs and became manager of Kataller Toyama in 2022.

1. Overview

Michiharu Otagiri (小田切 道治Otagiri MichiharuJapanese, born September 2, 1978) is a Japanese former professional football player and current football manager. During his playing career, he primarily played as a defender. He spent time with several Japanese clubs, including Kyoto Purple Sanga, Ventforet Kofu, Jatco TT, YKK AP, and Kataller Toyama, before retiring in 2009. Following his retirement as a player, Otagiri transitioned into coaching, progressing through various youth and senior coaching roles at Kataller Toyama before being appointed as the club's manager in September 2022.

2. Early Life and Education

Michiharu Otagiri was born on September 2, 1978, in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. He later moved to Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, during his elementary school years, where he grew up. Otagiri attended Toyama Daiichi High School, where he was actively involved in football. During his time at Toyama Daiichi, he played alongside Atsushi Yanagisawa, who was one year his senior, and participated in the 74th National High School Soccer Championship.

3. Playing Career

Otagiri's professional playing career spanned from 1997 to 2009, during which he played for five different clubs across Japan's top football leagues. He primarily featured as a defender, known for his consistent contributions to the teams he represented.

3.1. Kyoto Purple Sanga

After graduating from high school, Otagiri joined J1 League club Kyoto Purple Sanga in 1997. Despite being part of the squad for two seasons, 1997 and 1998, he did not make any official appearances in league matches or cup competitions for the club during this period.

3.2. Ventforet Kofu

In 1999, Otagiri moved to J2 League club Ventforet Kofu. During his single season with the club, he played as a left-back. He made 9 appearances in the J2 League and also featured in 2 matches in the J.League Cup, bringing his total appearances for Ventforet Kofu to 11.

3.3. Jatco SC / Jatco TT

In 2000, Otagiri transferred to Japan Football League (JFL) club Jatco TT, which later became known simply as Jatco. He quickly established himself as a regular player for the team, featuring prominently in their JFL campaigns. Over four seasons from 2000 to 2003, he made a total of 87 league appearances, scoring 8 goals. His contributions included 13 appearances and 2 goals in 2000, 29 appearances and 1 goal in 2001, 17 appearances and 1 goal in 2002, and 28 appearances and 4 goals in 2003. He also played in 5 Emperor's Cup matches during his time at Jatco. The club was disbanded at the end of the 2003 season.

3.4. YKK AP

Following the disbandment of Jatco, Otagiri joined another JFL club, YKK AP, in 2004. He continued to be a regular presence on the field for YKK AP for four seasons, from 2004 to 2007. During this period, he accumulated 106 league appearances and scored 7 goals. His season-by-season statistics at YKK AP include 19 appearances in 2004, 25 appearances and 2 goals in 2005, 31 appearances and 2 goals in 2006, and 31 appearances and 3 goals in 2007. He also played in 3 Emperor's Cup matches for the club.

3.5. Kataller Toyama

In 2008, Otagiri joined Kataller Toyama, a club formed from the merger of YKK AP and another team. He played his final two professional seasons with Kataller Toyama. In 2008, while the club was still in the JFL, his playing opportunities decreased, and he made 10 league appearances. However, Kataller Toyama secured promotion to the J2 League for the 2009 season, bringing Otagiri back to the J.League stage after a decade. In his final season in 2009, he made 16 appearances in the J2 League. Otagiri officially retired from professional football at the end of the 2009 season.

3.6. Player Statistics

The following table summarizes Michiharu Otagiri's professional playing statistics:

Club performanceLeagueCupLeague CupTotal
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
JapanLeagueEmperor's CupJ.League CupTotal
1997Kyoto Purple SangaJ100000000
199800000000
1999Ventforet KofuJ2900020110
2000Jatco TTJFL13230-162
200129120-311
2002Jatco171--171
2003284--284
2004YKK AP190--190
2005252--252
200631230-342
2007313--313
2008Kataller Toyama10010-110
2009J216000-160
Total22815902023915

4. Managerial Career

After concluding his playing career in 2009, Michiharu Otagiri transitioned into football management and coaching. He has primarily served within the coaching staff of Kataller Toyama, the club where he ended his playing days, steadily progressing through various roles.

4.1. Youth Coaching and Development

Otagiri began his coaching career in 2010, joining the youth academy of Kataller Toyama. From 2010 to 2011, he served as a coach for the Kataller Toyama U-15 team. In 2012, he moved to coach the U-18 team. He then took on the role of U-15 manager in 2013, before returning to a U-15 coaching position from 2014 to 2015. In 2016, he once again managed the U-15 team. From 2017 to 2018, Otagiri held the dual role of Academy Director and U-18 manager, overseeing the club's youth development programs.

4.2. Senior Team Coaching

In 2019, Otagiri moved up to the senior team coaching staff at Kataller Toyama, becoming an assistant coach. He held this position until 2020. From 2021 until September 2022, he served as the head coach for the senior team, playing a key role in the team's tactical and training preparations.

4.3. Managerial Role

On September 19, 2022, Michiharu Otagiri was appointed as the manager of J3 League team Kataller Toyama. This marked his first full managerial role at the professional senior level. He took over the team mid-season in 2022 and has continued to lead the club in subsequent seasons.

4.4. Managerial Statistics

The following table details Michiharu Otagiri's managerial record at Kataller Toyama:

YearLeagueClubLeague PerformanceCup Competitions
RankPointsMatchesWinsDrawsLossesLevain CupEmperor's Cup
2022J3Toyama6th159504--
20233rd623819514-3rd Round Exit
20243rd643816166PO Round Exit2nd Round Exit
  • Note: The 2022 statistics reflect matches managed from September onwards. Rank indicates the final season standing.