Japan's Cerezo Osaka have named Italian Marco Pezzaiuoli as their new manager after sacking Ranko Popovic last week, officials of the J-League club said on Monday.

The German-born Pezzaiuoli, 45, is best known for a brief spell in charge of Bundesliga side 1899 Hoffenheim in 2011.

"I know all about the high quality of Japanese football," Pezzaiuoli said in a statement.

"I'm very excited to join such a treasure trove of a club as Cerezo and hope I can lift the team's spirits."

Two of Cerezo's squad, Yoichiro Kakitani and Hotaru Yamaguchi, are currently on World Cup duty with Japan in Brazil.

The Osaka side also boasts big-name Uruguay striker Diego Forlan but struggled under Popovic.

The Serb was axed midway through his first season, with Cerezo languishing in 13th in the Japanese first division.