Kimiyasu Kudo has decided not to return as SoftBank Hawks manager for 2022, Nishinihon Sports reported Sunday, when the Hawks could potentially be eliminated from pennant contention. His move comes despite the club’s high regard for his work, and repeated offers from the front office to extend his contract after it expires this year.

In six seasons, Kudo has won three Pacific League championships and five Japan Series titles. But this year, the Hawks are in fourth place and headed south. They have outscored their opponents 508-459 but are six games under .500 largely because of a calamitous bullpen situation that left the skipper without his best three late relievers, Yuito Mori, Livan Moinelo and Sho Iwasaki for much of the season.