Overview

• Saburo (legal name Saburo Omura), 49, was introduced at an Oct. 8 press conference at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba City.
• He vowed to remove “softness” and institute strict practice designed to help younger players flourish.
• He said the team is lagging in all facets and declared it will start over from scratch.
• The club set a multi-year contract and assigned him No. 86, a tribute to former manager Koji Yamamoto, with rigorous autumn and spring camps signaled.
• Photos showed him shaking hands with team president Takasaka, as staff and roster plans following Rihito Yoshii’s resignation remain to be detailed.