the season). The end of the season saw Koji Maeda part ways with the club as they looked to rebuild towards a better 2013. 2013 (J2) The club returned to hiring a non-Japanese manager for the first time since Pierre Littbarski as Slovenian Marijan Pusnik arrived. His arrival saw a greater emphasis given towards the development of young players at the club as rookies Yuta Mishima and Takeshi Kanamori were given chances in the first team. Results on the pitch immediately improved and the club were competing around the play-off positions until a slump in form mid-season coincided with the announcement that the club needed ¥50 million to remain solvent. The club finished in 14th position, but found the money to stay afloat, with Pusnik agreeing to remain as manager for another season. 2014 (J2) Avispa finished in 16th place. Pušnik's contract was not renewed and he returned to Slovenia. 2015 (Promotion to J1) The club hired new coach Masami Ihara who twice handled Kashiwa Reysol in a caretaker capacity. They finished third and were promoted back to J1 in winning the promotion playoffs. 2016 (J1) Avispa finished in 18th place and relegated to J2. League 2017 (J2) Avispa finished in fourth place. In the "J1 promotion play-off", Avispa won the semi-final game 1–0 against Tokyo Verdy. In the final game however, the team had a scoreless draw, 0-0, with Nagoya Grampus leaving them in third place, meaning Avispa could not be promoted to J1. League & cup record Key Honours Japan Football League/J2 League (second tier) Champions: 1995 Runners-up: 2005, 2020 Japan Football League Division 2 (third tier) Champions: 1992 All Japan Senior Football Championship: Champions: 1989, 1990 Current players . Out on loan Reserve squad (U-18s) ; Squad for the 2022 season. Club officials For the 2023 season. Managerial history Colour, sponsors and manufacturers Kit evolution References External links Avispa Fukuoka Official Site J.League clubs Japan Soccer League clubs Football clubs in Japan Association football clubs established in 1982 Sports teams in Fukuoka, Fukuoka 1982 establishments in Japan Japan Football League (1992–1998) clubs