This supplied photo shows Makoto Teguramori. (Photo courtesy of J-League/Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Vegalta Sendai manager Makoto Teguramori has left his role following his side's relegation from the J-League first division, the club said Tuesday.

       The 54-year-old, who was in charge of Sendai in 2008-2013 and guided them to their best-ever second-place finish in 2012, was reappointed ahead of this campaign but their bottom-four finish was confirmed on Saturday.

       "I feel a great deal of regret and responsibility in not being good enough and getting us relegated," he said through the club.

       Vegalta had their best years to date under Teguramori, finishing fourth in 2011 before grabbing second place a year later, giving a lift to the northeastern region of Japan as it sought to recover from the devastating March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

       But they sit 19th out of 20 teams this term after five wins, 12 draws and 19 defeats, their 27 points nine off safety with two games to go. The four bottom sides go down to the J2 without any playoffs.

       "I've been in my role pledging to rebuild the club, but I've decided to step down after failing to secure J1 survival," he said.

       Head coach Masato Harasaki will be promoted to the managerial role for the rest of the season, the club said.

       Teguramori was in charge of the Japan national team during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and also managed V Varen Nagasaki in the J2 before he returned to Sendai.

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0