Milton Mendes has been appointed the new manager of Kashiwa Reysol, the J. League first-division club said Friday.
"I've always wished to work in Japan. Kashiwa have a rich tradition and are renowned for their youth development," said the 50-year-old Brazilian, who managed Atletico Paranaense in Brazil's top flight until September.
Mendes spent most of his 17-year playing career in Portugal before beginning coaching in the country in 2001. He coached and managed in Qatar from 2009 to 2013 before returning to Brazil in 2014.
Mendes will replace Tatsuma Yoshida, who steered Reysol to a 14th-place finish in this year's first stage. They are currently ninth in the overall season standings with two games to go.