Makoto Tanaka

Makoto Tanaka
田中誠
Personal information
Full name	Makoto Tanaka
Date of birth	August 8, 1975 (age 49)
Place of birth	Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
1991–1993	Shimizu Shogyo High School
Senior career*
Years	Team
1994–2008	Júbilo Iwata
2009–2011	Avispa Fukuoka
Total
International career
1996	Japan U-23
2004–2006	Japan
Managerial career
2024	Tochigi SC
Medal record
Júbilo Iwata
Representing Japan
AFC Asian Cup
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Makoto Tanaka (田中誠, Tanaka Makoto, born August 8, 1975) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player who was most recently manager of J2 League club Tochigi SC. He played for Japan national team.

Tanaka spent the majority of his career with Júbilo Iwata, forming a part of the team's 'glory years' that won the club's first Asian Club Championship in 1999, and three Japanese league titles between 1997 and 2002. After leaving the club in 2008, Tanaka then had a stint with Avispa Fukuoka, before retiring at the end of the 2011 season. He was capped 32 times for the Japan national team team and was part of the squad that won the 2004 AFC Asian Cup.

Club career

Tanaka was born in Shizuoka on August 8, 1975. After graduating from Shimizu Commercial High School, he joined Júbilo Iwata in 1994. From 1997, he became a regular player as center back and central player in golden era in club history. The club won many title 1997, 1999, 2002 J1 League, 1998 J.League Cup and 2003 Emperor's Cup. In Asia, the club won the champions 1998–99 Asian Club Championship and the 2nd place 1999–00 and 2000–01 Asian Club Championship. He left the club end of 2008 season for generational change. He moved to J2 League club Avispa Fukuoka in 2009. The club won the 3rd place in 2010 and was promoted to J1 League. He announced his retirement at the end of the 2011 season having played over 500 in his career.

National team career

In July 1996, Tanaka was selected for the Japanese U-23 team for the 1996 Summer Olympics. He played in all 3 of Japan's matches as they were eliminated in the group stage, despite two wins, including one against Brazil. It was known as the "Miracle of Miami" (マイアミの奇跡) in Japan.

On April 25, 2004, Tanaka debuted for the Japan national team against Hungary. At the 2004 AFC Asian Cup in China, he played all 6 matches as Japan won the title. He also represented Japan at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. In 2006, he was called up for Japan's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, but had to withdraw after sustaining a thigh injury prior to the tournament.^[1] In total, he played 32 matches for the national team.^[2]

Managerial career

In December 2023, it was announced that Tanaka would be taking on his first managerial role with J2 League club Tochigi SC for the 2024 season.^[3] After only recording three wins in his first 15 league games in charge, Tanaka was dismissed in May 2024 after only three months in charge.^[4]

Club statistics

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J.League Cup		Asia		Total
1994	Júbilo Iwata	J1 League	6	0	1	0	0	0	-		7	0
1995			21	0	2	0	-		-		23	0
1996			18	0	1	0	7	0	-		26	0
1997			23	0	4	0	9	0	-		36	0
1998			32	2	3	0	5	0	-		40	2
1999			16	0	0	0	0	0	-		16	0
2000			26	1	3	0	4	0	-		33	1
2001			24	1	2	0	6	0	-		32	1
2002			25	0	3	0	1	0	-		29	0
2003			30	1	5	0	9	0	-		44	1
2004			28	1	5	0	1	0	4	0	38	1
2005			30	0	2	1	1	0	3	0	36	1
2006			25	2	1	0	3	1	-		29	2
2007			23	1	2	0	3	1	-		28	2
2008			26	1	0	0	5	0	-		32	1
2009	Avispa Fukuoka	J2 League	29	0	0	0	-		-		29	0
2010		J2 League	29	2	1	0	-		-		30	2
2011		J1 League	8	0	0	0	0	0	-		8	0
Total			419	12	30	3	54	1	7	0	510	14