SAPPORO (Kyodo) Masaaki Yanagishita, who will step down as Jubilo Iwata coach at the end of the season, will be appointed as the new coach of Consadole Sapporo, the Sapporo club said Saturday.

Yanagishita will replace South Korean coach Chang Woe Ryong on a contract running from Feb. 1, 2004, to Jan. 31, 2006.

Brazilian Joao Carlos was fired as coach of Consadole Sapporo in August after failing to steer the J-2 side back to the top flight. Chang was promoted but failed to impress as the club finished in ninth place.

S-Pulse pair may go

Brazilian-born midfielder Alessandro Santos and South Korean striker Ahn Jung Hwan are looking to leave Shimizu S-Pulse for a chance to play for another club next season, soccer sources said Saturday.

"The (club) president joined us in our talks, but we haven't reached a conclusion yet. He is hoping for a change of environment," said a public relations official from the J. League first division side about Santos, who is considering an offer from the Urawa Reds.

"It seems like Ahn hasn't heard from a European club yet but knows what he wants and is sure about wanting to leave," he said of former Perugia player Ahn, South Korea's golden goal hero in the second round of the 2002 World Cup against Italy.

Both Santos and Ahn are scheduled to return to their respective native countries on Sunday.