This combined photo shows Kenta Hasegawa, left, and Massimo Ficcadenti. (Photo courtesy of J-League/Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Former FC Tokyo manager Kenta Hasegawa is in line to take the reins at Nagoya Grampus in the J-League top flight next season, replacing Massimo Ficcadenti, who is stepping down, a source with knowledge of the matter said Wednesday.

       Ficcadenti, who joined Grampus in September 2019, is still under contract with the club and had previously indicated his intention to continue managing.

       But the Italian has reportedly decided to part ways with Nagoya after the two sides failed to agree on terms for a new contract and plans for strengthening the squad.

       Following the breakdown in negotiations, Grampus officials reached out to Hasegawa, a multiple title-winner as manager of Gamba Osaka, who quit as FC Tokyo boss last month.

       Ficcadenti steered Nagoya to a third-place finish in 2020, earning qualification for the Asian Champions League. Grampus claimed their first-ever Levain Cup title this year while finishing fifth in the J1 and advancing to the ACL quarterfinals.

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