Katsumi Oenoki has stepped down as manager of struggling J. League first-division club Shimizu S-Pulse, the team announced on Saturday.

The 50-year-old Oenoki offered his resignation to take responsibility for the Shizuoka club’s dreadful form this season. He is expected to be replaced by assistant coach Kazuaki Tasaka.

Shimizu finished bottom of the table in the first stage of the J. League and is next-to-last in the overall standings, with four wins against 12 losses and six draws in the 18-team first division.

Oenoki offered to quit after S-Pulse’s 2-1 win away to Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday night, according to the source.