Naoki Kusunose

Naoki Kusunose
Personal information
Full name	Naoki Kusunose
Date of birth	April 17, 1964 (age 57)
Place of birth	Tokyo, Japan
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
1983–1986	Hosei University
Senior career*
Teams managed
2012	FC Machida Zelvia (caretaker)
2013	FC Machida Zelvia (caretaker)
2015–2018	Japan Women U-17
Yomiuri
Honda
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Naoki Kusunose (楠瀬直木, Kusunose Naoki, born April 17, 1964) is a former Japanese football player and manager. Currently, he is head coach of Japan women's national under-17 football team.

Playing career[]

Naoki Kusunose played for Yomiuri and Honda as defender.

Naoki Kusunose became manager for some youth team; e.g. Hakuoh University, Tokyo Verdy youth team. Since 2012, he became stuff for FC Machida Zelvia. In November, manager; Osvaldo Ardiles was sacked. Naoki Kusunose managed team as caretaker.^[1] After that, Yutaka Akita was appointed new manager. But In June 2013 manager; Yutaka Akita was sacked. So, Naoki Kusunose managed team as caretaker again until end of 2013 season.^[2] In February 2015, Naoki Kusunose became head coach for Japan women's U-17 national team (aiming for 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Jordan).^[3] In November, Japan won second position in 2015 AFC U-16 Women's Championship and qualified for 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. He resigned before 2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in November.^[4]

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