Nagoya Grampus

History

Japan Soccer League era

Toyota Motor SC was overshadowed by its colleague Toyota Automated Loom Works SC (founded in 1946 and which was one of the founding members of the Japan Soccer League). When Toyota ALW were relegated to regional leagues in 1968, Toyota Motor saw an opportunity to rise at their expense.

In 1972, the club was founding members of the JSL's Second Division and its inaugural champions. They remained in the JSL until the J.League's founding in 1993. They were relegated to the JSL Division 2 in 1977. In 1990, the club name was changed to "Nagoya Grampus Eight".

After a brief return in 1987–88, they were promoted for good in 1989–90 and remained in the top flight for 26 years, until 2016.

J.League era

Grampus Eight was an original member ("Original Ten") of the J.League in 1993. In 1996, future Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger led Grampus to the 1996 Emperor's Cup and a runners-up finish in the J.League, the club's best finish.

The team's name "Nagoya Grampus Eight" was changed to just "Nagoya Grampus" at the start of the 2008 season. In 2008, Nagoya appointed former player Dragan Stojković as manager. They finished in third place and qualified for the AFC Champions League for the first time. Stojković has since led the club to winning the J.League in the 2010 season, featuring a squad consisting of Marcus Tulio Tanaka, Mu Kanazaki, Seigo Narazaki, Yoshizumi Ogawa, Keiji Tamada and Joshua Kennedy. After a poor 2016 season, Grampus were relegated to J2 League for the first time in their history. Boško Gjurovski left his post as manager. On 4 January 2017, Yahiro Kazama was appointed as the club's new manager. On 3 December 2017, Grampus drew 0–0 against Avispa Fukuoka in the promotion playoff final, securing promotion back to J1 League at the first time of asking due to their higher regular season position than Avispa Fukuoka. On 23 September 2019, Massimo Ficcadenti was appointed as the club's new manager. The Italian manager led the club the winner of the J.League Cup in 2021. However, Grampus didn't renew a contract with Ficcadenti, and appointed Kenta Hasegawa as their new manager.

Kashima Soccer Stadium curse

Since Grampus were dealt a 5–0 defeat by the Kashima Antlers at the Kashima Soccer Stadium on 16 May in the 1993 J.League season opener, Grampus suffered a losing streak of 22 consecutive games to the Kashima Antlers at the Kashima Soccer Stadium which included Emperor's Cup and J.League Cup games. Grampus finally got their first victory over the Kashima Antlers at the Kashima Soccer Stadium on 23 August of the 2008 J.League season, some 15 years later.

Affiliated clubs

• Italy AS Roma (2022−present)
• England Everton F.C. (2025−present)

On 25 November 2022, Nagoya Grampus sign partnership with Serie A club, AS Roma.

On 21 August 2025, Nagoya Grampus signed a similar partnership with Premier League club, Everton F.C.

In popular culture

In the Captain Tsubasa manga series, one character was player of Nagoya Grampus and is the goalkeeper Ken Wakashimazu which was player of Yokohama Flügels before the closing of the Yokohama team. In 2013, the midfielder Shingo Aoi wear the Nagoya Grampus jersey in a Yoichi Takahashi tribute to the 20 years of J.League.

Kit and colours

Sponsors

Kit evolution

Current squad

Out on loan

Club officials

Club Staff for 2026

Manager history

Information correct as of match played 6 January 2025. Only competitive matches are counted.

• Notes: W – Won matches D – Drawn matches L – Lost matches F – Goal scored A – Goals against

%W – Percentage of matches won}} Nationality is indicated by the corresponding FIFA country code(s).

Personnel awards

• J.League Player of the Year :*FR Yugoslavia Dragan Stojković (1995) :*Japan Seigo Narazaki (2010)

• J.League Top Scorer :*Brazil Ueslei (2003) :*Australia Joshua Kennedy (2010, 2011) :*Brazil Jô (2018)

• J.League Best Eleven :*FR Yugoslavia Dragan Stojković (1995, 1996, 1999) :*Brazil Ueslei (2003) :*Japan Seigo Narazaki (2003, 2008, 2010, 2011) :*Brazil Marques (2004) :*Japan Yoshizumi Ogawa (2008) :*Australia Joshua Kennedy (2010, 2011) :*Colombia Danilson Córdoba (2010) :*Japan Marcus Tulio Tanaka (2010, 2011, 2012) :*Japan Takahiro Masukawa (2010) :*Japan Jungo Fujimoto (2011) :*Brazil Jô (2018) :*Australia Mitchell Langerak (2021)

• J.League Rookie of the Year :*Japan Yoshizumi Ogawa (2008)

• J.League Manager of the Year :*France Arsène Wenger (1995) :*Serbia Dragan Stojković (2010)

World Cup players

The following players have been selected by their country in the World Cup, while playing for Nagoya Grampus:

• Japan Takashi Hirano (1998)
• FR Yugoslavia Dragan Stojković (1998)
• Japan Seigo Narazaki (2002, 2006, 2010)
• Japan Keiji Tamada (2006, 2010)
• Australia Joshua Kennedy (2010)
• Japan Marcus Tulio Tanaka (2010)

Record as J.League member

;Key

• Pos. = Position in league
• Attendance/G = Average league attendance
• † 2020 & 2021 seasons attendances reduced by COVID-19 worldwide pandemic.
• Source: J. League Data Site

Honours

As Toyota Motor SC (1939–1991) and as Nagoya Grampus (1991–present)

League history

• Regional League (Tokai Adult Soccer League): 1966–71
• Division 2 (JSL Div. 2): 1972
• Division 1 (JSL Div. 1): 1973–77
• Division 2 (JSL Div. 2): 1978–86
• Division 1 (JSL Div. 1): 1987
• Division 2 (JSL Div. 2): 1988–89
• Division 1 (JSL Div. 1): 1990–91
• Division 1 (J.League Div. 1): 1992–2016
• Division 2 (J2 League): 2017
• Division 1 (J.League Div. 1): 2018

References

References

1. (10 June 2020). "FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Bid Evaluation Report". FIFA.
2. John Duerden. (2010-11-05). "Stojkovic doing things the Wenger way". [[ESPNsoccernet]].
3. "Nagoya Grampus Profile, Results, Players, Stats, Stadium".
4. "Club guide: Nagoya Grampus". J.League.
5. (December 19, 2008). "J.League News No.40". J.League.
6. link. Nagoya Grampus. (4 November 2016)
7. link. Nagoya Grampus. (6 November 2016)
8. link. Nagoya Grampus. (4 January 2017)
9. (3 December 2017). "Grampus come through playoff to seal return to J.League top flight". Japan Times.
10. (25 November 2022). "AS Roma and Nagoya Grampus announce unique partnership". AS Roma.
11. (2025-08-21). "Everton and Nagoya Grampus Announce Strategic Partnership". Everton F.C..
12. link. Nagoya Grampus
13. "Club Staff".
14. link. (2019-09-23). Nagoya Grampus
15. link. 2019-09-23
16. (9 December 2021). "Massimo Ficcadenti Head Coach Notice of Expiration of Contract". Nagoya Grampus.
17. (9 December 2021). "Kenta Hasegawa Announcement of Appointment of Top Team Head Coach". Nagoya Grampus.
18. (18 December 2025). "ミハイロ ペトロヴィッチ氏 トップチーム監督就任決定のお知らせ".