The 2018 Sagan Tosu season was the club's 7th consecutive season in the J1 League following promotion in 2011. The team competed in the J1 League, the Emperor's Cup, and the J.League Cup.
Management The season began under head coach Massimo Ficcadenti, who had been in charge since 2015. Following a poor run of results, Ficcadenti resigned on June 11, 2018. Assistant coach Kim Myung-hwi was appointed as caretaker manager. On September 4, 2018, the club announced the appointment of Luis Carrión as head coach effective immediately, though Carrión's first match in charge was on September 15.
J1 League Sagan Tosu finished the 34-match season in 13th place with 44 points (11 wins, 11 draws, 12 losses). The team scored 44 goals and conceded 45. The season was characterized by inconsistency, with the team hovering near the relegation zone during the summer before stabilizing under the new management structure in the autumn.
Emperor's Cup The club entered the tournament in the Second Round (against a prefectural qualifier winner) and advanced to the Quarter-finals. They were eliminated by Urawa Red Diamonds (eventual runners-up) with a 1–0 defeat at Saitama Stadium 2002 on October 24, 2018.
J.League Cup Sagan Tosu participated in the group stage (Group B). They finished 3rd in their group with 7 points (2 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses) and did not advance to the play-off stage.
Notable Transfers
- Arrivals (Summer Window): The club made high-profile signings in July, acquiring Spanish World Cup winner Fernando Torres from Atlético Madrid and Spanish winger Isaac Cuenca (free agent, formerly of Barcelona and Granada).
- Departures: Midfielder Ryotaro Ito was loaned to Zweigen Kanazawa in the summer.
Top Scorers (All Competitions)
- Fernando Torres: 5 goals (all in J1 League, joined July)
- Yoshiki Oka: 5 goals (J1 League)
- Ryohei Shirasaki: 4 goals (J1 League)
Kit
- Supplier: New Balance
- Main Sponsor: DHC
