The conversation between coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA and Mr. Teruo IWAMOTO at the 2023 FC Tokyo New System Announcement held on January 7, 2023, and the continuation of the conversation in a separate room, which could not be completed on stage, will be published.
If you would like to see the conversation at the new system announcement event in a video, please also check the YouTube at the end of this article.
＜New System Announcement Meeting＞
Mr. Iwamoto
The new season is about to begin, but how about the new foreign players joining the team? Do you have a desire to bring in Spanish players?
Coach Albert
It is important to be a good player, regardless of nationality. I have high expectations for new signing Perotti and honestly, I want him to score more goals as a center forward. I hope he can contribute in terms of scoring ability.
Mr. Iwamoto
Do center forwards have roles such as scoring, assisting, and keeping the ball, and do coaches also expect defensive plays?
Coach Albert
First of all, I expect him to score goals as a goal hunter. Secondly, I also want him to make movements that support other players in scoring goals. And thirdly, I expect him to contribute to the team's defense from the front line as the first defender.
Mr. Iwamoto
When watching J-League and World Cup matches, there are teams that apply pressure from the front line. In the World Cup, Japan's press worked well against Spain and Germany, but in the match against Croatia, both Mito and Itō were contained. In order for Japan to reach the quarterfinals or semifinals, Coach Moriyasu said that these players need to reach a higher level. What do you think?
Coach Alber
I think player development should be improved as a whole country. For example, if there is no rule that requires the use of five or six players under the age of 23 in the Levain Cup, it is difficult to give young players who have been promoted from the academy the opportunity to play. As I mentioned earlier, if there is no rule that requires the use of young players, the coach must take responsibility if they are used and the team loses. At the beginning of last season, we were struggling with the spread of the novel coronavirus. We wanted to use more young players in the Levain Cup to nurture them, so we used them due to the impact of the coronavirus. Young players cannot grow without being given the opportunity to play. In the 33rd round of last season's league match against Nagoya Grampus, we lost due to a young mistake made by him, who was only 18 years old at the time, but that was unavoidable because he was young. So what should we do? Many players from the Moroccan national team are playing as starters in big clubs in Europe. Of course, there are also several players who are playing as starters for the Japanese national team, but there are not many. If we are going to send Japanese players to Europe, it should be for playing, not for warming the bench. It also depends on which level of league they go to. That's why I think the development of young players is important for the overall policy of the country.
Mr. Iwamoto
There was a discussion about player development, and Coach Albert has extensive experience in coaching at the youth level. So I would like to ask, in the period from late elementary school to middle school, which is an important time for development, what do you think is the most important?
Coach Albert
I still think that a high-level tournament is necessary.
Mr. Iwamoto
How was it at FC Barcelona's Cantera (the name of the academy organization)?
Coach Albert
The important thing is to understand the sport of soccer, which is to compete with the ball. It is not about growing by winning continuously, but by continuously pursuing competition. Since FC Barcelona's academy belongs to the league in Catalonia, they win most of the matches. If there are fewer tough matches that focus on competition, the players' growth will stop. As a solution, if they participate in international tournaments more than 10 times a year, they will gain experience in close battles. For example, I think there are few opportunities for 18-year-old Japanese players to play against overseas teams. There may also be players who don't have the opportunity.
Sho IWAMOTO
Earlier, there was a conversation with coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA that Japanese players should go to big clubs overseas, but I also believe that it is good for coaches to go abroad and gain experience. Alternatively, I think we should learn from foreign coaches who have come to Japan from overseas.
Manager Albert
I believe that foreign coaches who come from overseas like me have a duty to provide something that Japan does not have. If foreign coaches cannot provide something special, there is no point in them coming to Japan. I served as the Academy Director of FC Barcelona for four years. I believe that FC Barcelona's academy is the best in the world. Now, in my fourth season in Japan, I have hardly been asked any questions about developing young players. When pride and arrogance become too strong, they become a brake on growth. I believe that a humble mindset is what transforms into the energy for growth.
Mr. Iwamoto
When I hear comments about developing leaders like that, I can't help but think that in 8 years, Coach Albert will become the coach of the Japanese national team.
Coach Albert
First of all, I have to do a good job in Tokyo. I like Japan, so of course I am interested, but I have to prove myself capable for the position. I am proud of the good coaching I have done in Niigata for the past two years. This season, I want to do a solid job in Tokyo for my second year.
Mr. Iwamoto
I am looking forward to Tokyo's performance this season. It is the second year, and most importantly, the players understand how to play. When I talked to Mr. Morishige earlier, he said, "It's really interesting and easy to play, so I think this season will be good."
Manager Albert
Tokyo is a city that ranks among the top five largest cities in the world. Tokyo, carrying the name of the capital, is it living up to its name by playing defensively and relying on counterattacks? Playing with counterattacks may lead to winning more matches. Of course, there will be wins and losses in matches, and Tokyo will naturally experience defeats. However, if we continue to attack aggressively, even if we ultimately lose the match, many supporters will be satisfied. This is not about winning or losing. Carrying the name of Tokyo means that we must attack in order to win, it is our destiny. For example, if the Japanese national team were to play against Spain or Germany, I believe they could play defensively and rely on counterattacks. However, it is not about winning or losing, but rather about choosing which method to adopt as our identity.
Mr. Iwamoto
This season, I will predict that we will finish in 3rd place.
Coach Albert
For me, true success is for Tokyo to continue competing for a top 3 position in the next 4 years, 5 years, and beyond. If we always play at a high level, we may occasionally win titles and I believe we can grow into a team that consistently competes with the top 3 teams. Even if I am not there at that time, it can be said that my time in Tokyo was successful in the end.
Mr. Iwamoto
I hope that, just like he gave something wonderful to Japanese soccer in Niigata, he will continue to achieve success in Tokyo.
Coach Albert
First of all, I have to firmly prove my own value.
Mr. Iwamoto
I'm looking forward to it. Thank you very much.
Coach Albert
Thank you very much.
[Video of the discussion]
New System Announcement Event (11 minutes and 40 seconds to)
