Under Hiraoka's management, Shimizu's lack of matches won and players not on their best form were a determining factor for their average-to-poor performances in each of the 3 competitions they played in.

Prior to the start of the season, Shimizu had made 5 signings, while at the same time gradually announcing 10 departures from the team.

Se-hun's arrival from K League 1 powerhouse Ulsan Hyundai completed Shimizu's 6 signings at the start of the year.

Matsuoka, who played a large amount of matches in the previous season at club and national team level, surprisingly saw little game time under his management.

After debuting on 6 April, he scored a goal on his second match for the club, run out of form, and little game time was given onwards.

Some players in special were, however, highly utilized by both managers, with Shuichi Gonda, Reon Yamahara, Eiichi Katayama, Ryohei Shirasaki, Thiago Santana and Teruki Hara playing the most minutes among the Shimizu's players throughout the season, including the starting XI.

This 4-3 defeat away at Sapporo Dome led Shimizu S-Pulse to be relegated to the J2 League, returning to the second division after six seasons in the top-flight.

In a troublesome season in result and performance terms, Shimizu couldn't make a solid run in neither of the three competitions it played in.