Ajinomoto Stadium

-It started today, what was your impression on the first day?

I was happy that everyone seemed really energetic and I felt they had prepared well.

When I met Representative Nakamura and greeted him, I thought he had a very beautiful face.

– What did you say to the players before praying for salvation?

First of all, I received greetings from the representative and the strengthening manager, and also did a greeting for the start. The new members, including the staff, showed their faces and said hello, so my speech was short.

We talked about what kind of football we should play and how it will lead us to our goals. It’s like 3-4 minutes.

-The members have changed, but will you continue aiming for football?

I agree. Since I arrived here I have worked with a strong desire to aim for a new Verdy together with the club, I would like to further strengthen it.

Our recovery power and other aspects of the picture will not change, so we will pursue both quality and quantity in terms of how we can play football against the opposing team.

ーIs there a slight change in the regulations?

As for last year, I think Kumamoto will be the regulation that went up the way it was. When I learned that these regulations were going to be adopted, I think every club probably thought it was a great opportunity.

I have seen other clubs engage in strengthening but I think every team and every club does it. Due to the big difference in regulations.

Of course, I think we have this difference as well, so I think the best way to see what we do is to build.

– Regarding the renewal of Morita’s contract. what did you tell him?

I knew he had potential, but I think he had a few seasons when he was young and plagued with injuries. However, I think I was able to play consistently good form last season. Among them, I think it was after June that he continued to appear as a core. As one of the main players who will get the win, I think if he goes through such a year, the value of him will change, and if he becomes the best year for the team, it will be a good year for both him and the team. I said I would during the season. As the backbone to promote a club, there’s not yet a year where you’ve fought all year. Let’s go through it! I told him.

ーDoes this mean you will start the season with this team?

Mario hasn’t been able to join us yet for some reason, but I hear he’s training. So after evaluating his performance and his style of play, if there is anything I can discuss with the club, I would like to do so. All possibilities are open.

-I think the director was also involved in the organization?

I think I’ve done all I can do with strengthening. Not only the players who came in but also the players who left, including those players, I did what the club can do with manpower, so I have no regrets. I don’t think I could have done more.

The new players have great communication skills, so I’m really glad they joined us.

– What is your impression of each of the new players?

I think the training manager will talk about the system, so I won’t talk about it much, but basically this team focuses on how to coach players who are growing.

We need players who have reached their maximum age to compete this year and I believe that having players with a really high level of experience will create an environment for young players to thrive in.

Overall, I think we have a well-balanced age composition.

I think there are times and connections when it comes to moving from other clubs, I think it has been a very fulfilling reinforcement.

– Do you have any idea how to use Morita?

The system isn’t everything, but there aren’t many players who can do both, being able to play second row on offense and third row on defense.

So, we got the impression that he was stronger than we thought when it came to defending position. It would be great if he could be careful enough not to create gaps and given his offensive power, he should be able to score more goals. I would like to see more people enter Pena.

I want him to be a box to box player while maintaining his quality. It’s not that they don’t come out, and it’s not that they don’t come down. But if I can become a player who can run 10 meters back and forth and a player who gets involved with the ball, I think I will become a better player and a player who can score goals.

– Morita himself said he scored in double figures.

It’s also a position to pick up the ball, so if I can do that and run from the third row and play football where the ball goes back to him, I think it’s entirely possible.

– I heard that the director’s contract renewal was delayed (laughs)?

I can only say I’m sorry (laughs), but you were trying to build up and improve your strength. I think it was a season where there was a lot of regular class comings and goings.

I think he was no stranger to his last six game winning streak. I think I have raised the value of the players, and that’s why I think the front has had difficulty. We were doing it together.

– You said you were doing that rather than your autograph.

More than these negotiations, I was thinking about the results of the build-up with the club towards the 23rd season, and in this sense I am sorry for the delay. We seem to have spent a lot of time together thinking of it as a club. I’m sorry (bitter smile).

-Are the projects drawn from the field?

I think having two fields is rare in recent years. I was debating what to do to practice in a slightly better terrestrial environment.

So we decided to make two pitches to rest the Verdy Ground.

In order to fight, I think we have to become the best in Japan through practice. I am very happy to be able to hold two camps this time as I discuss with the club how to create such a good environment.

It was my first time, but I think the players were probably surprised too. Some of the players commented that the turf was in better condition than it was early last year in early January. The club also communicated with the contractor and prepared it.

I am very grateful to the club for being able to make two retirements as a prelude to a solid performance here. As much as possible, I will improve my condition in the first camp and then prepare myself in the second camp. (end)

*Comments have been edited to the extent that they do not change the essence.