Kashima Antlers have dismissed longtime manager Toninho Cerezo due to poor results, the J. League first-division side said Tuesday.
The team had expected to be in title contention, but finished eighth in the first stage and has four points from three second-stage games. Assistant Masatada Ishii will take over the hot seat in Kashima.
A former standout midfielder with Brazil's national team, Cerezo won back-to-back J-League championships with Antlers in 2000 and 2001. Cerezo stepped down in 2005, but returned to coach the club in 2013 and led it to a fifth-place finish. His young charges rose to third last year, but they have been unable to maintain that rate of success this year.
Antlers started the 2015 season with five straight losses between the league and Asian Champions League competition. Among other things, Antlers' defense on set plays has been spotty and improvement has not been noticeable.
"We keep giving away goals the same way, losing the same way. A change of perspective is needed," a club executive said.
The team indicated it will not seek to hire a new manager this season.