Stojkovic determined to keep Tanaka

Nagoya Grampus’ second-place finish in the J.League this season leaves room for improvement in 2012, according to manager Dragan Stojkovic.

Stojkovic also reaffirmed his stance that veteran centre-back Marcus Tulio Tanaka will not be leaving the club.

“I am staying in Nagoya next year to win with Grampus,” Stojkovic told Goal.com.

“And I expect all of the players to stay, including Tulio.”

Tanaka, who obtained Japanese citizenship in 2004, has earned 43 caps for the country’s national team.

The former Blue Samurai regular has been linked with a move to Brazilian side Botafogo after the club hired former Kashima Antlers manager Oswaldo Oliveira.

Despite having only worked together in J.League all-star matches, the player and manager have a close relationship and often chatted before league games. Oliveira is believed to have recommended several J.League players, including Tanaka, to Botafogo.

“Of course we know of Botafogo’s interest and there was an offer,” confirmed Stojkovic.

“But we do not want to let Tulio go, and he still has one year left on his contract.”

Despite the firm denial by his coach, Tanaka’s family believes that a move is likely.

“We are happy because he is coming back,” asserted father Paul Tanaka in an interview with Radio Brazil earlier this week.

“He’s already said that he could be coming back to Brazil to play for Botafogo.”

Adding to the intrigue, Tanaka is scheduled to return to Brazil on Thursday to receive further examination and treatment on his injured right knee.

He will not rejoin Grampus in their Emperor’s Cup campaign and is only expected to reunite with the team in the new year.