Satoshi Yamaguchi has been named Manager of the Month after leadingShonan Bellmare to a superb October that may prove key to the club avoiding relegation.

The October schedule only had two J1 matchweeks, but it was still plenty difficult for Bellmare. First they had to go away to Kyoto Sanga, who they beat 1-0, before taking on league leaders Vissel Kobe. Yamaguchi’s side were able to hold the high flying Ushi, earning a 1-1 draw to stay out of the relegation zone after a furious rally in September lifted them out of the bottom.

Yamaguchi has orchestrated a much improved defense in recent months. Their wingbacks have been able to track back and create a five-man back line, deterring even the best teams in the league and helping Bellmare up the table.

In J2, Manager of the Month has been awarded to Tokyo Verdy’s Hiroshi Jofuku, who guided his team to an undefeated October with two wins and two draws despite playing three of their biggest promotion rivals. It was a terrific run of play that saw Jofuku’s team remain a contender for the second automatic promotion place and consolidate a spot in the promotion play-off at the worst.

Manager of the Month for J3 goes to YSCC Yokohama’s Kazuki Kuranuki, whose team lost their first match of the month before running off four straight wins by a combined score of 6-0.