Relegated Shimizu S-Pulse said Wednesday they will appoint Tokushima Vortis manager Shinji Kobayashi as the club's new boss for next season.
S-Pulse had been looking chiefly for a Japanese manager who has experience in both J1 and J2.
The 55-year-old Kobayashi, who takes over from Kazuaki Tasaka, has a good track record of getting teams promoted to J1, having guided Oita Trinita, Montedio Yamagata and Tokushima to the top flight.
Tokushima has already announced that Kobayashi is leaving after the club placed 14th in J2 this season.