Kashima Antlers will not be renewing manager Toninho Cerezo's contract next season, the J. League first-division club said Thursday.
Kashima officials explained they wants a new coach "to refresh the team and take the club to the next level," but have yet to decide on a replacement for the Brazilian, who has been at the helm since 2000.
Cerezo, who led Kashima to an unprecedented domestic league and cup treble in his first season, will remain in charge of the team through the end of the league campaign and the Emperor's Cup.
Okubo scores first
BARCELONA (Kyodo) Japan striker Yoshito Okubo scored his first goal of the season, but Real Mallorca was eliminated from the King's Cup on Thursday after an embarrassing 4-1 defeat against third-division Alcoyano.
Jose Rodriguez Parado, Sergi Mesa and Aitor Antonana made it 3-0 before Okubo pulled one back with a header in the 69th minute.
Antonana completed victory with his second of the game. Mallorca is propping up the Spanish first division with just one win this year.