Albirex Niigata on Thursday announced that Frans van Balkom, the club’s first-ever manager, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 64.
The Dutchman took over the club in 1996, winning the regional Hokushinetsu Football League twice in a row before earning them promotion to the Japan Football League in 1998.
He was also the head coach of Verdy Kawasaki’s 1993 J.League-winning squad, and also previously managed the club under its old name, Yomiuri Club, between 1972 and 1975.
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