CF Pachuca were off to a solid start under their first Japanese manager Robaato Rasamu. He'd led his new side, who only had ambitions to "not finish bottom" to eight points from six games and 13th place in the 18-team Liga MX Apertura stage.
On 10 October 2030, seven years and three months since starting his career at Kamatamare Sanuki, Rasamu was swapping Japan for México.
Japan's rising star of football management, who was also celebrating passing his Continental Pro Licence and entering the Japan Hall of Fame, didn't let the frivolities last for too long. He was firmly focused on the major challenge of trying to win the AFC Champions League when it resumed in February.
Robaato Rasamu came so close to sealing the first title in his mission to win all five top-tier continental trophies as Albirex Niigata narrowly lost to big-spending Al-Hilal in the AFC Champions League Final. The Japanese manager needed a little time to get his head around the defeat and consider his options moving forward.
Approaching six years of life as a Football Manager, Robaato Rasamu was enjoying his first taste of continental football in his mission to win every top-tier continental club trophy. His Albirex Niigata side just wrapped up their best-ever league campaign and reached the knockout rounds of their maiden AFC Champions League campaign.
The remarkable rise of Robaato Rasamu in the world of football management had seen him go from being unemployed to reaching the J1 League in just over three years. He now faced a huge task as he prepared for his first taste of top-flight football.
The decision to depart Kamatamare Sanuki for Albirex Niigata was very much justified at the halfway mark of the 2026 campaign. Robaato Rasamu's second club enjoyed a healthy 11-point lead with a game in hand and Niigata fans were dreaming of a return to J1 League under their exciting new manager.
Three seasons of overachievement at Kamatamare Sakuni had hugely increased the stock of fledgling manager Robaato Rasamu. Indeed, his efforts in leading Sakuni to a club-record 7th place in J2 League saw Albirex Niigata come calling and Rasamu joined the second club of his career on 7 December 2025.
Kamatamare Sanuki were again defying all expectations as they sat safely in mid-table halfway through the J2 League 2-25 campaign. The massive relegation favourites looked to be avoiding any concerns at the bottom of the table, and even had the playoffs in their sights on the back of an eight-game unbeaten streak.
The streets of Takamatsu were painted blue as the fans of Kamatamare Sanuki celebrated an unexpected promotion and J3 League title win in 2024. The supporters were united in thinking there was only one man to thank for this success, their fledgling manager Robaato Rasamu, who was instilled as a fans' favourite alongside the mighty Himan "He-Man" Morimoto.
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