Ikuo Matsumoto

Ikuo Matsumoto (松本 育夫) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.

Club career
Matsumoto was born in Utsunomiya on November 3, 1941. After graduating from high school, he joined Toyo Industries in 1964. In 1965, Toyo Industries joined the new league Japan Soccer League. The club won league championships in 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1970. The club also won the 1965, 1967, and 1969 Emperor's Cup. He retired in 1973. He played 88 games and scored 31 goals in the league. He was selected Best Eleven in 1966.

National team career
In December 1966, Matsumoto was selected for Japan's national team for the 1966 Asian Games. At this competition, on December 10, he debuted against India. In 1968, he was selected Japan for the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. He played 4 matches, and Japan won the Bronze Medal. In 2018, this team was selected for the Japan Football Hall of Fame. He played 11 games and scored 1 goal for Japan until 1969.

Coaching career
After retirement, Matsumoto became a manager for Toyo Industries as Kenzo Ohashi's successor in 1976. He was also named a manager for Japan U-20 national team. He managed at the 1979 World Youth Championship in Japan. In April 1999, he signed with J2 League club Kawasaki Frontale. He led the club to win the championships and was promoted to J1 League. In 2004, he signed with Sagan Tosu and managed in 3 seasons. In 2009, he was selected for the Japan Football Hall of Fame. In 2010, he became a manager for Sagan Tosu again. In September 2013, when he was 71 years old, he signed with Tochigi SC. He became the first manager for the 70s in J.League.

Awards

 * Japan Soccer League Best Eleven: 1966
 * Japan Soccer League Star Ball Award: 1966
 * Japan Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2009