Just over seven years have passed since Toninho Cerezo ended his first glittering reign as Kashima Antlers manager, but after returning to the club for a second stint, the Brazilian is pleased to find that not everything has changed in his absence.
Cerezo led Antlers to two J. League championships, two Nabisco Cup titles and one Emperor's Cup crown during his six years in charge from 2000-05, making the most of an exceptional crop of home-grown youngsters that included midfielders Mitsuo Ogasawara, Masashi Motoyama, Takuya Nozawa and Koji Nakata.
Now, after stepping in to fill the breach left by previous manager Jorginho's departure for family reasons at the end of last season, Cerezo is preparing to lead the seven-time champions into Saturday's season-opener away to Sagan Tosu. And with his former proteges still around to help guide the next generation of Kashima talent, the 57-year-old is on familiar ground.