After a poor start to the 2018 J-League season, Urawa Reds announced Monday that manager Takafumi Hori has been dismissed.

Hori's dismissal comes after three losses and two draws in the opening five matches, including Sunday's 2-1 loss at Jubilo Iwata. Urawa training and youth director Tsuyoshi Otsuki will step in as caretaker.

"I'm really sorry I made this situation. I want the club to be able to move forward with a new structure," Hori said through the club.

According to several sources, former Kashiwa Reysol manager Nelsinho is among the candidates for the job. The 67-year-old Brazilian is currently managing Sport Club do Recife in his home country.

Nelsinho guided Reysol back to J1 as J2 champions in 2010 and achieved the unprecedented feat of winning the league championship in a club's first season following promotion. After parting ways with Reysol, Nelsinho managed Vissel Kobe from 2015 to August 2017.

The 50-year-old, who was named 2017 coach of the year by the Asian Football Confederation in November, took over for Serbian boss Mihailo Petrovic in July and led Reds to their second Asian Champions League title.

Reds, who finished seventh last season, are currently second from bottom in the J1 standings.