J. League second-division side Shonan Bellmare said Thursday that Yasuharu Sorimachi, who managed Japan at the Beijing Olympics, will become their manager for next season.
During his playing career, Sorimachi spent four seasons through 1997 with Bellmare Hiratsuka, the forerunners of Shonan.
Sorimachi retired in 1997 and managed Albirex Niigata for five years from 2001, helping them to a first-ever promotion to the top flight in 2004.