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Former Lions head coach Tatsuma Yoshida, 47, will be returning to Japanese club Ventforet Kofu.

The J2 League club announced on Monday (Jan. 3) that Yoshida will be its new head coach.

Reminded of the Ventforet fans

Yoshida said he had received a "sudden" and unexpected call from Ventforet.

Although he did not decide on taking up the head coach role immediately, he recalled the sight of Ventforet's fans applauding him as he bade farewell to the club in 2018.

Yoshida was head coach of Ventforet in 2017 and 2018.

He was dismissed in April 2018 following Ventforet's relegation to the J2 League at the end of the 2017 season.

"Let's enjoy this challenge together and win"

In the club's statement, Yoshida said that he was "very happy" to meet the people in Yamanashi again.

He added:

"The team will do their best. I will try to be stronger every day. We will create a team that deepens ties and grows throughout the season.

[...]

Let's enjoy this challenge together and win."

Left his post as head coach of Singapore

On Dec. 26, 2021, a day after Singapore's exit from the AFF Suzuki Cup, Yoshida revealed in an interview with The Straits Times that he had received offers from clubs in Japan, which included Ventforet.

Two days later, Yoshida quit his post as head coach of the Singapore national team. His contract with the Lions was scheduled to last till December 2022.

Yoshida returned to Japan a day after.

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Top image from AFF Suzuki Cup website.