Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles owner Hiroshi Mikitani on Thursday revealed that he asked manager Senichi Hoshino to stay on for next season.

Mikitani visited the Kleenex Stadium and said he met with Hoshino prior to the Pacific League leaders' game against the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.

"I want him to continue next year — and beyond," Mikitani said. "I give the team perfect marks, 100 out of 100. I think all the work they've put in until now is bearing fruit."

"Hoshino told me the team is going to win the pennant and that he wants to give the players something to be happy about. That's his own way of expressing concern for them."