JEF United Chiba manager Takashi Kiyama will step down at the end of the season after failing to steer the club back into the top flight, the J. League second-division side said Wednesday.

Relegated in 2009, Chiba scraped into the playoffs after finishing fifth in the table. They thrashed Yokohama FC 4-0 in the semis and needed only a draw in the final last Friday to secure a return to the first division, but the two-time League Cup champions lost 1-0 to Oita Trinita, former JEF striker Takenori Hayashi scoring the winner moments before the final whistle.

"We were aiming for a return to J1 but failed to achieve our goal and I feel very much responsible for that. I am sorry to everyone that has supported us," Kiyama said in a club statement.