Koji Tanaka

Koji Tanaka
田中 孝司

Personal information
Full name	Koji Tanaka
Date of birth	(1955-11-02) November 2, 1955
Place of birth	Saitama, Japan
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1971–1973	Saitama Urawa High School
1974–1977	Meiji University
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1978–1988	NKK
International career
1982–1984	Japan	20	(3)
Managerial career
1993–1995	Japan U-20
1997–1999	Nagoya Grampus Eight
2001–2002	Shonan Bellmare
2003–2006	Vegalta Sendai
2016–2020	Matsue City
Medal record NKK Runner-up Japan Soccer League 1985/86 Runner-up Japan Soccer League 1986/87 Runner-up Japan Soccer League 1987/88 Winner JSL Cup 1980 Winner JSL Cup 1987 Winner Emperor's Cup 1981 Runner-up Emperor's Cup 1986
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Koji Tanaka (田中 孝司, Tanaka Kōji, born November 2, 1955) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.

Club career

Tanaka was born in Saitama on November 2, 1955. After graduating from Meiji University, he joined Nippon Kokan (later NKK) in 1978. The club won the champions at 1980 JSL Cup and 1981 Emperor's Cup. From 1985, the club won the 2nd place for 3 years in a row and won the champions 1987 JSL Cup. He retired in 1988.

National team career

On July 15, 1982, Tanaka debuted for Japan national team against Romania. In November, he played at 1982 Asian Games. In 1983 and 1984, he played at 1984 Summer Olympics qualification. He played 20 games and scored 3 goals for Japan until 1984.

Coaching career

After retirement, Tanaka started coaching career at NKK in 1989. In 1993, he became a manager for Japan U-20 national team. At 1995 World Youth Championship, he led U-20 Japan to advanced to the quarter-finals. In 1995, he signed with Nagoya Grampus Eight and became a coach. In November 1997, he became a manager as Carlos Queiroz successor. He was sacked in April 1999. In 2001, he signed with J2 League club Shonan Bellmare and managed the club until 2002.

In 2016 Tanaka was appointed manager of Matsue City FC, renamed FC Kagura Shimane.

Club statistics

Club performance			League
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals
Japan			League
1978	Nippon Kokan	JSL Division 1	18	0
1979			16	1
1980		JSL Division 2
1981
1982		JSL Division 1	18	0
1983		JSL Division 2
1984		JSL Division 1	18	0
1985/86			15	0
1986/87			22	0
1987/88			22	0
1988/89	NKK	JSL Division 1	14	0
Total			143	1

National team statistics

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
1982	6	0
1983	8	3
1984	6	0
Total	20	3

Managerial statistics

Team	From	To	Record
			G	W	D	L	Win %
Nagoya Grampus Eight	1998	1999	40	25	1	14	062.50
Shonan Bellmare	2001	2002	88	36	20	32	040.91
Vegalta Sendai	2003	2006
Matsue City	2016	2020
Total			128	61	21	46	047.66

External links

• Koji Tanaka at National-Football-Teams.com
• Japan National Football Team Database
• Koji Tanaka manager profile at J.League (archive) (in Japanese)