ニュース
To remain in the J1-President Hashimoto
In the 2011 season, the club set the goal of winning the J League title and introduced new coaching staff. Several new players were also introduced to this end. However, the team is currently facing a very tough situation as it ranks 16th in the standing.
In order to survive through this very tough situation to remain in the J1, the team decided to appoint the former Urawa Reds Youth Team’s Team Manager Takafumi Hori as a new team manager from 22 October, 30th Sec J. League match to take the place of current Team Manager Zeljko Petrovic. Former Urawa Reds Youth Team’s Coach Kenichi Amano will also be appointed as a coach by replacing Coach Adrie Bogers.
The new team manager has a wealth of experience as an Urawa Reds Youth team trainer for over 7 years since 2005. He is well informed about many of the top team players who joined the team from the Youth Team. He accompanied the top team during this season’s Miyazaki camp and maintained close relationship with the top team. Considering that he understands the current team condition well, the club decided the appointment as he would be able to demonstrate great ability within no time as the new team manager.
During this season, the team had a sluggish start. At the end of 19th Sec match, the team managed to get itself back to the same level as they were at in the last season. However, the team has continued to struggle to keep winning in the ensuing matches.
The club recognized issues among not only team players but also team management. As a result, the new General Manager was appointed in September and communications among the team manager, staff members and players were strengthened with the improved team support system. Since then, there have been some positive developments with the team’s situation such as managing to get into the final match of the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup. However, as the team still struggles to achieve positive results playing in league matches, the club decided to refresh the current team management positions.
Before the opening of the season this year, the team reviewed its previous year’s performance and agreed with the team manager that this year would be the year that the team would pursue both tangible results and good process. However, the team not only had to replace its general manager mid way through the season but also its team manager. I feel extremely responsible for losing sight of making Urawa Reds “a strong and fascinating team which can be the pride of the local community”.
Under the new team management, we will make utmost efforts by consolidating all what we can offer to achieve positive results in the rest of the season’s J. League matches. With “implacable determination to win”, we will do our best to remain in the J1 no matter what.
President of Urawa Red Diamonds
Mitsuo Hashimoto
