On March 26, 2025, the WE League's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies announced the termination of Manager Naoki Sakaki's contract, effective from March 25. This decision comes after Sakaki, who had been at the helm since February 2021, led the team to two consecutive championships in the domestic women’s top professional league. However, despite their past successes, the team currently sits in third place this season, prompting the need for a change in leadership.
Just two days prior to the announcement, on March 24, Urawa Reds Ladies faced a disappointing exit from the Women's Asia Champions League (Women's ACL) semi-finals, where they were narrowly defeated by Wuhan Jiangda of China in a penalty shootout. This defeat appears to have been a pivotal moment that led to the club's decision to part ways with Sakaki.
As the search for a new leader began, the club quickly appointed Takafumi Hori as Sakaki's successor. Hori, a well-known figure in the organization, has an extensive history with Urawa, having spent much of his coaching career there. He previously led the men's top team and brings a wealth of experience, including a stint where he guided the club to their second Asia Champions League title in 2017.
Hori expressed his excitement and commitment to this new role, stating, "I feel great joy and responsibility to be able to take the helm at a club where I spent so much time as a player and coach, and that I want to use my experience to help the team and players grow, even though this is my first time coaching women's soccer." His insights reflect a dedication to both the history of the team as well as its future, which he hopes to navigate successfully.
Hori's experience with the club began when he was a player in its youth organization, rising up to the top team. He served as the team’s manager over two separate periods: from October to December 2011 and from July 2017 to April 2018. He has also managed other teams, including Sendai and Tokyo V, and most recently, he was a coach at Yokohama FC last season before being appointed in February 2025 to strengthen Urawa Reds Ladies.
In the wake of these changes, fans and analysts alike are looking ahead to how the Urawa Reds Ladies will adapt under Hori's leadership. As the team prepares for the remainder of the season, the focus will be on stabilizing their performance and regaining their footing in the league. Hori’s previous achievements with the men’s team instill a sense of confidence in his ability to guide the women's team effectively, despite the challenges inherent in transitioning from men’s to women’s football.
The managerial reshuffle is a crucial moment for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies as they look to contend again for top honors in both domestic and international competitions. As they embark on this new chapter, the coming months will be vital in determining whether this leadership change can translate into improved results on the pitch.
For now, all eyes will be on the new management team as they work to strategize and motivate the players, aiming to secure their status as one of Japan's leading women’s football teams once more. With Hori at the helm, the support from fans will be integral as he navigates the complexities of coaching a women's professional team for the first time.
