Kawasaki Frontale on Wednesday announced that manager Yahiro Kazama will leave the club at the conclusion of the 2016 season.

The 54-year-old took over at Todoroki Stadium in April 2012 and has taken them to a place in the J.League Championship this season following a series of impressive performances.

Kazama has accumulated a record of 85 wins, 33 draws and just 49 defeats following the most recent MEIJI YASUDA J1 League fixture. 

His team will make their MEIJI YASUDA J.League Championship debut in November, having clinched a top-three finish in the regular season.

“I have made the decision to step down at the end of the season,” Kazama commented following the announcement. 

“Since I took this position, our players have matured and the team has found its personality. We needed a variety of factors to fall into place for this to happen.

“It wasn’t an easy task and I’m grateful to our fans and everyone involved with the club for their support.”

The club has yet to determine Kazama’s successor.