On January 10th, after the first training of the 2023 season, Director Shirofuku conducted an interview.
-It started today, what was your impression on the first day?
I was happy that everyone looked really energetic, and I felt that they had prepared well.
When I met with representative Nakamura and said hello, I thought that he had a very good face.
– What did you tell the players before praying for safety?
First of all, I received greetings from the representative and the strengthening manager, and I also gave a greeting for the start. The new members, including the staff, showed their faces and said hello, so my talk was short.
We talked about what kind of football we should play and how it will lead to our goals. It’s like 3-4 minutes.
-The members have changed, but will you continue to aim for soccer?
I agree. Since I came here, I have been working 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 framework 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?
In terms of last year, I think Kumamoto will be the regulation that went up as it was. When I heard that this regulation was going to happen, I think every club probably thought it was a great opportunity.
I saw other clubs putting effort into reinforcement, but I think every team and every club does. Because of the big difference in regulations.
Of course, I think that we also have that difference, so I think that the best way to see what we do is to build up.
– Regarding Morita’s contract renewal. what did you tell him?
I knew he had potential, but I think he had some seasons when he was young and was plagued with injuries. But I think he played consistently well last season. Among them, I think it was after June that he really continued to appear as a core. As one of the main players who will win the championship, I think that if he goes through such a year, his own value will change. I said I would do it in the season. As the spine to promote a club, he hasn’t been able to fight all year yet. Let’s go through it! I told him.
ーDoes this mean that you will enter the season with this squad?
Mario hasn’t been able to join us yet for some reason, but I hear he’s training. So, after assessing his performance and playing style, if he can discuss anything with the club, I would like to discuss it. All possibilities are unsealed.
-I think the director was also involved in the organization?
I think I’ve done everything I can do with strengthening. Not only the players who entered, but also the players who left, including those players, I did what the club can do with the manpower, so I have no regrets. I don’t think I could have done more than that.
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 much about it, but basically this team focuses on how to train the players who are in the process of growing up. I’m here.
We need players who have reached their peak age to compete this year, and I believe that the presence of players with a really high level of experience will create an environment where young players can grow.
In total, I think we have a well-balanced age structure.
I think there are timings and connections when it comes to transferring from other clubs. I think it was a very fulfilling reinforcement.
– Do you have any ideas about how to use Morita?
The system isn’t everything, but there aren’t many players who can do both, being able to play on the second row when attacking and on the third row when defending.
So, we had the impression that he was stronger than we thought when it came to defending the position. It would be nice if he could be alert enough to not create any 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 he hasn’t gone out, it’s not that he hasn’t gone down. But if I can become a player who can run 10 meters forward and backward, 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 that he scored in double digits.
It’s also a position to reap the ball, so if I can do that and run up from the third row and play soccer where the ball goes to him again, I think it’s quite possible.
– I felt that the director’s contract renewal was delayed (laughs)?
I can only say I’m sorry (laughs), but you were trying hard to strengthen and enhance your strength. I think it was a season when there were many regular class comings and goings.
I think it was not unrelated to the last six consecutive wins. I think I raised the value of the players, and that’s why I think the front had a hard time. We were doing it together.
– You said that you were doing that rather than your own autograph.
Rather than such negotiations, I was thinking of the results of the accumulation with the club towards the 23rd season, and in that sense, I am sorry for being late. It feels like we spent a long time together thinking of it as a club. I’m sorry (bitter smile).
-Are the blueprints drawn from the camp?
I think that having two camps is rare in the last few years. I was discussing what to do to practice in a slightly better ground environment.
So we decided to do two camps to rest the Verdy Ground.
In order for us 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 while discussing 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 compared to last year’s start in early January. The club also communicated with the contractor and prepared it.
I am very grateful to the club for being able to do two camps as a prelude to a solid performance here. As much as possible, I will improve my condition in the first camp and then prepare in the second camp. (end)
*Comments have been edited to the extent that they do not change the gist.
