Today, in the city of Hiroshima, coach Michael Skibbe held a press conference to summarize the season.
Season summary interview of coach Michael Skibbe
Representative question
D) Looking back on this season in the first year of your appointment.
I think it’s been a very exciting year and season. We were able to give our best, we were able to enter the game with a very well organized and good team, and in the end we managed to win the title, which is very positive for Sanfrecce. I think it was the season.
D) Your arrival in Japan has been delayed due to the new coronavirus.
First, our coaches did a great job before coming to Japan. We were constantly communicating with each other, but I think the team was able to put into practice what we wanted to do in football and training.
D) During the consecutive match schedule, many players played an active role, such as winning in a row in August, and 18 players scored goals in the league match. What do you think of those players?
Especially in August, our attacking players were in very good condition and I think that was why we managed to get such a good result. Almost everyone was in good shape, so I think the most important point was that they were able to score goals and create a situation where anyone could score goals.
Q) It has become standard to have a day off the day after the game, but how do you perceive the importance of the stop and the importance of the change?
In particular, I think taking a break psychologically has a very positive effect. I think it’s very good for the players that if they win, they will have time to enjoy the victory the next day. In this sense, I think resting time is important.
Q) I think one of the reasons you won the much anticipated 2022 J.League YBC Levain Cup title is the overall strength of the team.
In terms of overall strength, I strongly felt not only the overall strength of the players, but also the overall strength of the Sanfrecce family. Players, coaches, medical staff, all those people are responsible and positive about their work. I think we have been able to demonstrate greater global strength from a side like that. It also includes the presence of fans and supporters. Especially in away games, I feel they have given me a very strong push. So I think we managed to play good football not only with the combined strength of the players, but also with the strength of the whole Sanfrecce family.
Q) What is the part that you have been missing this season and what are your challenges?
Due to the COVID-19 problem, we have missing players and many injured, but this is not limited to our team. I don’t want to apologize for that part. Looking at the season as a whole, we didn’t score at the beginning. We lost more points towards the end. I think we should reflect on the fact that we have created a situation where one or the other is lacking overall. Next season we will prepare well from pre-season and we want to do our best from the start of the season in February, I think it will come. Therefore, there are some parts that you cannot understand if you don’t open the lid. I think it is possible that we will be 10th, but I think it is also possible that we will be 2nd or 1st.
Q) I think the progress this season is due to the work of the coaches and staff, but what kind of words do you want to say?
They did a great job. Everyone has worked hard on their roles and I think we have become a team that I am happy with. I think a great team has been formed by bringing together coaches from various specialties.
We coaches weren’t just business partners, but we managed to build strong friendships with each other. Being able to have such a relationship made my job easier and led me to the belief that I can become even stronger in the future.
Q) Do you have any words you want to say to coach Matsuo?
The interpreters here are just saying what they want to say, but it’s just that it’s going very well. (You smile)
D) Finally, a message to the Sanfrecce family.
I have said it over and over again throughout the season but I feel we have received very strong support, especially from the fans and away fans. Having a Sanfrecce family all over Japan and people who travel with us all over Japan and support the team is a great help. A thousand thanks.
In addition, the home supporters and supporters who came to the stadium two hours before kick-off, waited for their buses and gave us a lot of encouragement. I am very grateful to them for calling me not only when I win, but also when I lose.
Q) Are there any matches that have impressed you this season?
The game that overturned the game at the last minute impressed me. The final of the Levain Cup (against Cerezo Osaka (〇2-1)) and the previous quarter-finals of the Emperor’s Cup (against Cerezo Osaka (〇2-1)). Then, in the 25th round of the J1 championship match against Kashiwa Reysol (03-2), after scoring an own goal, we came from behind and won. I remember being very enthusiastic about these matches in particular.
Q) Did your impression of Japanese football change before and after your arrival in Japan?
Many of my acquaintances had previously worked as German directors in Japan. When I heard the stories of those people, all the directors told me they were very satisfied and happy. In that sense, I didn’t have negative emotions like fear.
D) At the end of the season, other teams took action against Hiroshima.
I believe that football is a sport where tactics are very important. If you play as your opponent thinks, I think they will take countermeasures. This season, we have had a few games where it was difficult for our opponents to respond due to changes in the system and tactics. I think we need to have a deeper understanding of our tactics, more variety and more flexibility.
D) If you can give a player who wants to expect further success next season.
I want everyone to grow up. Especially when it comes to experienced captains and players, we want them to maintain the high level of performance they have now. At the same time, I think it will be very important for everyone to prepare themselves so that they can be on the pitch with confidence.
Q) What do you think was the difference between Yokohama F. Marinos and Kawasaki Frontale who won the championship?
They have been J.League’s top team for several years now. Therefore, I am used to playing at a high level and I think the quality of the players was very high. However, there have been times when we have threatened those two teams and we want to be able to threaten them again for next season.
Q) Do you have a specific goal, how to win the title next season?
There are no goals such as titles or rankings. The most important thing is to play attractive and offensive football. Also, I think it is to develop football that people who have seen it can immerse themselves in a good final glow even after returning home.
Q) What is your impression of Sanfrecce Hiroshima club?
First of all, before coming here, the club explained the construction of a new stadium in 2024, the city of Hiroshima, the youth and academic generations, and many academy players are on the top team.I received a lot of information like like what’s going on. In such circumstances, there were a lot of parties that I could sympathize very much with, so there is a background in which I accepted this job. As for this season, we have achieved excellent results. As for the potential of this team, I think we can keep it or even go higher. So, from here on out, I want to make this a club with the ability to always be in the first places.
D) If there was anything the director liked about appointing players.
What is important to me is that we both understand and dare to understand the manager’s intentions when he uses the players. I think it is very important what the manager wants and what the players want from the team match.
Q) How do you want to enjoy the next World Cup as a manager? What do you want to inspire Sanfrecce players?
I am admiring myself and watching with interest. Of course, it’s a tournament that decides who is the best in the world, so I’m very interested in that and can’t wait to see new things and wonderful play. I want players to see how the best players in the world play and how the best players in the world play in light of their position.
Q) What are your preseason plans?
I expect a very intense and hard workout. First of all, the most important point is to add running power. To have the walking strength to run all season. Furthermore, I would also like to brush up on the tactical part. Also, I would like to hold a relatively large number of training matches and train my tactical and running skills in a way that is closer to real training.
Q) You said earlier that you have a friendship with the coaches, but how do you see the players?
It is very important to have a strong relationship of trust. But coaches and players, managers and players are two different things, I don’t think it’s a problem for coaches and players to be very close, but as a manager I think it’s necessary to keep a certain distance from the players. . Because we can’t create the situation that every player wants. Therefore, I think that a certain distance is a very important point in the situation where a person who decides and a person who is decided is born.
