Koichi Sugiyama

is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is currently the assistant manager of J1 League club, Kyoto Sanga.

Playing career

Urawa Red Diamonds Sugiyama was born in Takatsuki on October 27, 1971. After graduating from Osaka University of Commerce, he joined Urawa Red Diamonds in 1994. He became a regular player as a left back in the first season. However his opportunity to play decreased which he was dropped for Shinji Jojo from the 1997 season and he didn't get the to featured in all of the club matches in 1998.

Verdy Kawasaki (later renamed as Tokyo Verdy) In 1999, he moved to Verdy Kawasaki (later Tokyo Verdy). Sugiyama became a regular player in the club with many young players due to financial strain end of 1998 season. However his opportunity to play decreased from 2001.

Albirex Niigata In 2003, he moved to J2 League club Albirex Niigata. However he could hardly play in the match and he retired end of 2003 season. Koichi Sugiyama in a post-match interview after a thrilling victory against Hougang United on 13 April 2012 at Hougang Stadium.

Coaching career

Urawa Red Diamonds Sugiyama was the academy coach of Urawa Red Diamonds from 2004 until 2009

Albirex Niigata Singapore Sugiyama moved to Singapore and was named as the head coach of Albirex Niigata Singapore from 2010 until 2013. During his time in Singapore, he won the S.League Coach Of The Year award in 2011, the same year he guided his team to win the Singapore League Cup and finalist of the Singapore Cup.

Ayutthaya In August 2014, he moved to Thailand to signed with Thai Division 1 League club, Ayutthaya and managed the club until November.

Kashiwa Reysol In 2015, he returned to Japan and became the assistant manager under Tatsuma Yoshida at J1 League club, Kashiwa Reysol until the end of the season.

BBCU On 22 February 2016, he returned to Thailand and signed with 2016 Thai League T1 club, BBCU.

Chainat Hornbill On 28 April 2016, he moved to Chainat Hornbill and managed the club until the end of the season.

Blaublitz Akita In 2017, he returned to Japan and signed with J3 League club Blaublitz Akita. In Sugiyama first year at the club, he guided them to win the 2017 J3 League title however due to the club not having a license to play in the upper-tier football, they were not promoted, becoming the first professional third-tier champion not to get promoted. The club results were bad in 2018 season and Sugiyama was sacked in July 2018.

Nara Club In 2019, he signed with Japan Football League club Nara Club.

Kyoto Sanga In 2021, Sugiyama joined J2 League side, Kyoto Sanga and become the assistant manager under Cho Kwi-jae. In his first season at the club, he sees them finishing second in the 2021 J2 League and saw the club promoted to the top tier of Japanese football, the 2022 J1 League.

Club statistics

Managerial statistics

Honours

Manager

Club Albirex Niigata Singapore

Singapore League Cup: 2011

Blaublitz Akita

J3 League: 2017