On the 7th, Genki Haraguchi, who will be returning to Urawa Reds for the first time in 10 years, held a press conference at Saitama Stadium with Sports Director Satoshi Horinouchi Horinouchi, where he spoke about the circumstances of his return, his feelings about the team, and his enthusiasm for the future.

Satoshi Horinouchi SD
"I believe that when introducing him at a venue like this, I should call him Haraguchi, but I will call him Genki this time.

Regarding Genki's joining, I think it was all down to the fact that our timing was right. I have been to Germany to meet Genki, including his predecessor, Tsuchida (Naofumi), over the past few years, and we have had the opportunity to talk about various things and communicate with each other. During that time, we have had mutual respect for each other, and Genki has always had the desire to play for the Reds someday, and in our conversations, I felt that he was always watching the Reds' games.

I am extremely happy that the timing for our joining the team aligned, and I'm sure you are all familiar with Genki's playing style and personality, but in joining the team, I have two big expectations for him: he will be someone who can lead the team to victory on the pitch, and he will also demonstrate leadership both on and off the pitch.

I would like to ask you all lots of questions, so that's all for now. Thank you."

Haraguchi Genki
"Hello, I'm Genki Haraguchi. I'm very happy to be back at Urawa Reds after 10 years. I think this will be the last big challenge in my football career, so I will do my best to once again demonstrate my worth at Urawa Reds, and to once again build a strong Urawa Reds together with this great environment, manager, players and staff. I look forward to working with you all."

[Question and Answer Session]
(You joined the training session in June, watched the recent match against FC Machida Zelvia, and played in today's training match. What do you feel is lacking in the current team?)
"That's a pretty difficult question to answer at the start (laughs). I've only been with the team for a few days, and I've noticed a lot of things, but right now I'm focusing more on myself. It's meaningless if I can't show my value on the pitch, and even if I suddenly say something that's on my mind, I don't know if the younger players will listen, so right now I'm concentrating on showing the kind of play that makes people think that Haraguchi Genki is amazing."

(You have shown your competitive spirit up until now, but what kind of mindset is it that makes you so competitive?)
"I think I'm really good at concentrating during a match, and I think I'm particularly good in front of the goal and in other areas where the game is decided. I haven't really thought about why I'm good at that, but honestly, I tend to score more shots in matches than I do in practice, and I think that this kind of concentration is my strength, so I hope to be able to show it again at Urawa Reds."

You've always had your sights set on playing overseas, and I think you were aiming to play overseas this summer as well, but what made you decide to play for the Reds?
"As Horinouchi-san said earlier, I think it was a big factor that our thoughts and timing aligned, but it wasn't just one factor, but after considering many other things, I felt that my body was still in great shape and that I wanted to return to Urawa Reds and play at a good time. I think that now is the time to play well."

"Do you want to win a league title while you're still able to move?"
"Of course. This season is going to be tough, but realistically there's a possibility that it could be next season. I've been away from the J.League for 10 years, so I think I need to get a deeper understanding of it again, and I want to determine how I can be successful in the J.League and prepare myself accordingly, so I'll try to win each remaining game, but in that sense, I hope I can make good preparations for next season."

(Yuya Osako won the MVP at age 33?)
"Whether I win the MVP or not is a different matter, but I want to win the championship and be a central player and leader in that effort."

(You've played in Germany for 10 years, and the completely different environment must have had an impact on you. How do you plan to give back to the team after you've changed?)
"Honestly, I don't think there are many parts of what I've developed over the past 10 years that I can still use. On the contrary, I want to play in the J.League with a focus on attacking, the kind of play I did 10 years ago that decides games and creates chances with dribbling. On the other hand, I imagine it as going back to my old self, or going back to the days when I played more attackingly.

Being able to play in various positions, such as defensive midfielder or fullback, has been a strength, but I would rather play an offensive role. I think I have gained a lot of experience and improved my ideas, strength and toughness, but there is still an offensive aspect that I need to regain, so I think the balance there is important.

(When I participated in a practice session, during a mini-game, he loudly pointed out that we had conceded a goal due to a careless play, even though we were winning. This season has seen the team lose many points due to such conceded goals, but how do you want to encourage the team to change?)
"I think it's important to say it each time. Even in the past few days, I've seen that kind of play a few times. But as I said before, I need to focus on my own play first. I don't think it will be very convincing unless I show it myself, so I'd like to focus on my own play for a while."

(You have the chance to play in the FIFA Club World Cup as a Urawa Reds player. What do you want to achieve by getting there?)
"That's not something I'm thinking about right now, so for now I want to focus on the J-League."

(I understand you continued to watch games even while away from the Reds. What does the Reds mean to you?)
"Even though I was away, it was a club I had a lot of attachment to, so I was always interested in the results and the state of the games."

(Why did you choose the number 78?)
"My first son was born on July 8th. I thought about wearing the number 24, but Matsuo (Yusuke) was wearing it and I couldn't wear it this season. Most of my favorite numbers were already taken, so I decided to wear 78 for the rest of the year, as my son was born this year as well."

(I would like to ask SD Horinouchi. You played together with Haraguchi during your active days. What aspects of you have not changed since then, in a good way?)
Satoshi Horinouchi SD
"He joined our training for about three weeks this summer, and I watched him then, and it was clear to see that he is still a soccer kid who loves soccer. When I saw him staying behind to train after practice with the younger players, I felt that he was just the same Genki Haraguchi he was back then."

Haraguchi Genki
"I think that's right. The fundamental aspects haven't changed."

(There are currently players in their late 30s who are performing at a high level even at the world's top level, but how do you feel about being 33 years old? Also, you said that you want to play more aggressively, but what kind of play do you want to show?)
"I don't think too negatively about being 33 years old. I feel very fit and I think I can play like I did when I was younger.

What I want to show is the play that decides the game, and I think that it is a big challenge for me. During my 10 years in Germany, there were almost no seasons in which I was given that role. I played a lot of balance plays, or kept running for the team and connected the team, so I think it is a big try to get back to that and make a difference in that area. I am very excited, and when I look objectively at my body and playing sense, I think I can do it, so I am very excited myself.

(What did your teammates say to you?)
"There's still a certain distance between me and the younger players, so it felt like I was really there. Uga (Tomoya UGAJIN) and (Koroki) Shinzo said to me, 'You're back?' but even though they say it, I got the feeling that they were really happy. It's great to be able to play again with players who've been here for a long time."

(How does it feel to fight wearing Urawa Reds emblem?)
"This might sound like a very childish answer, but I'm really looking forward to it and I'm really excited."

(Message to the Reds fans)
"There's no point in talking too much here, so I hope to show some solid play on the pitch and be able to say hello."

(Now that you've returned to Urawa Reds, what are your ambitions?)
"I want to focus only on winning the J.League, and I believe that in order to achieve that, we need to change in many ways. This is true not only for my own play, but also for the influence I have on those around me. First of all, I will concentrate on my own play, but I would like to gradually improve in those areas as well, and ultimately lift the trophy next year. That is the big goal and challenge that has brought me back here."

(What about the growth of Takahiro Sekine, who you treated like a younger brother?)
"I think he remains an amazing player, and I can really feel that he has very strong feelings for Urawa Reds. But I think he can do more, and he can become even more stoic, so if he continues to do that, I think we can lead Urawa Reds together. I love him and I dote on him like a younger brother, but that's why I need to grow as well, and I want him to grow as well, so that we can lead Urawa Reds together."

(This is the last big challenge of your football career, but do you have a strong desire to continue playing for the Reds?)
"I can't reveal the details of the contract, but first of all, I want to fulfill this contract, and in the meantime, I want to work hard to achieve my goals and Urawa Reds' goals."

(The Reds are currently in 12th place, how far do you want to push them?)
"I know that winning the championship is very difficult, so I want to focus on each practice and each game, rather than on the final goal. The coach has only just arrived, and we are in a period where we need to have many discussions and create many new things, so I think it's better to focus on each game."

(What is your impression of manager Maciej Skorza?)
"I spoke to him once last year when he came to watch a game. He was very gentlemanly, and spoke very politely, but also had a sense of humor, so it was very easy to talk to him. Horinouchi and I talked a lot about football-related matters, and I heard that he is very good at organizing the defense and has few goals conceded. I've heard that he has a lot of talent in terms of attack, which has always been an issue, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he does."

(What is the atmosphere like when you come back to Saitama?)
"Of course, it's my hometown so I feel comfortable here, and I've been spending some time relaxing in Saitama for the first time in a while. Some things have changed and some things haven't, so overall I'm having a really good time here."

(After Genki Haraguchi joined the team, ticket sales increased and uniforms were apparently sold out within minutes. Do you think this reflects the high expectations of the fans and supporters?)
"I really want to play at a packed Saitama Stadium. It's great that expectations are raised here. In order to capture the attention of the fans and supporters who will be coming to the next game for the first time in a while, I want to play a game that is worth playing and keep them wanting to come and watch again. I'm looking forward to a packed Saitama Stadium myself, so I hope you'll come."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]

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