Futoshi Ikeda

Early Life

Futoshi Ikeda was born on October 4, 1970, in Koganei, Japan. He pursued higher education at Aoyama Gakuin University, where he laid the foundation for his future in football.

Playing Career

Ikeda began his professional football career in 1993 when he joined the Urawa Red Diamonds. As a defender, he primarily played as a left side back, making a significant impact during his first season. However, his playing time diminished in 1995, and he ultimately retired at the end of the 1996 season after a brief but notable career.

Coaching Career

Following his retirement, Ikeda transitioned into coaching, starting with the Urawa Reds in 1997. He dedicated several years to coaching the youth team before moving on to the senior team from 2002 to 2008. In 2012, he took on a role at Avispa Fukuoka, where he briefly served as caretaker manager. Ikeda's coaching prowess shone through when he became the manager of the Japan women's U-20 national team, leading them to victory at the 2017 AFC U-19 Championship and the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. In 2018, he also took charge of the Japan women's U-17 national team for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. Most recently, he was appointed head coach of the Thailand women's team in January 2025, but faced challenges that led to his dismissal after seven months.

Legacy

Ikeda's coaching achievements, particularly with the Japan women's teams, have established him as a significant figure in women's football, highlighted by his championship wins at both the AFC U-19 Women's Championship and the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.