KYODO NEWS - Aug 22, 2017 - 15:59 | Sports, All

Mitsuru Manaka said Tuesday he will step down as manager of the Yakult Swallows at the end of the season due to the team's poor performance.

Speaking to reporters at Jingu Stadium ahead of Yakult's game against the Hanshin Tigers, the 46-year-old said he doesn't feel like he has an option seeing that the Swallows are still rooted to the bottom of the Central League standings with 32 games remaining.

"The results speak for themselves. It can't be helped. I can't disappoint the fans anymore," Manaka said.

Team president Tsuyoshi Kinugasa said Manaka made his intentions known Sunday after the Swallows lost to the Hiroshima Carp, guaranteeing they will finish with a losing record for the second straight season.

Kinugasa revealed that Manaka, who is in the final year of a three-year contract, turned down an offer for an extension as well as a front office role.

"Even if I had agreed to staying on for another season, honestly speaking, I wouldn't have the confidence. It would be rude to say yes under these circumstances. Quickly rebuilding the team is not something I am capable of doing now," Manaka said.

Manaka took the helm of the slumping Swallows in 2015 after the Tokyo-based team finished last for two consecutive seasons, and helped them win their first CL pennant in 14 years in his first year.

But Yakult finished fifth last season, and has been dealt a blow this season with injuries to key players including 2015 CL batting champion Shingo Kawabata.

Unable to pick up the pace in July with 14 consecutive losses, the Swallows now have a CL-worst 38-71-2 record, with hopes of taking part in the Climax Series all but dashed.