Kimiyasu Kudo appointed as new Chunichi Dragons manager

Kimiyasu Kudo has officially taken over as the new manager of the Chunichi Dragons. During his recent press conference in Nagoya, Kudo expressed his primary goal of building a winning team that brings joy to local fans.

In a video released by the team, Kudo attempted to bridge the gap with his players by encouraging them to communicate more naturally, telling them they do not need to respond with formal politeness but can use more casual language. However, the players' subdued responses to his passionate speech have become a topic of discussion among fans, with some comparing the current atmosphere to Kudo's successful tenure at SoftBank.

Former Dragons manager Hiromitsu Ochiai commented on the appointment, noting his surprise that an external candidate was chosen given the team's history of hiring internal or former players. Ochiai emphasized that the success of the new era will depend on how well the players understand and execute Kudo's vision. Meanwhile, fans and public figures, including comedian Shiraku Tatekawa, have expressed high expectations for Kudo's ability to revitalize the team after years of struggle.