Asian Icons
"I had a really long and fulfilling 26 years of football life between 1998 and 2023. I never thought I'd play this long," the 43-year-old said in a video message posted on the club's website.
Endo was in Japan's FIFA World Cup squad three times and was named Asian player of the year in 2009.
He won 152 Japan caps, a record.
Having spent nearly two decades at Gamba Osaka as a footballer, Endo said he's "very happy" to be back as a coach.
"As a coach, I am still learning... but I want to grow with the players and contribute to the team's victories," he said.
