FC Tokyo concluded its 2024 season with a complex narrative: record-high attendance and annual sales contrasted sharply with a disappointing on-field performance. This interview with President shigeya Kawagishi delves into the club’s successes and shortcomings, offering insights into the challenges of balancing business growth with competitive football.
While the club achieved extraordinary business milestones, the team’s performance fell short of expectations. President Kawagishi candidly assesses the season, highlighting the gap between ambition and reality.
A Season of Contrasts
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“First of all,I always wanted to be involved in the title fight,but I was never able to reach that goal. Frankly speaking, I’m disappointed,” President Kawagishi admitted.Despite a four-place improvement in league standings, finishing 7th compared to 11th in 2023, the team significantly trailed the champion, Vissel Kobe, and missed the AFC Champions League qualification by a considerable margin. early exits from the J League YBC Levain Cup and the Emperor’s Cup further underscored the season’s challenges.“It was a season where I felt that there was still a lot of work to be done, and that there were many things that we lacked,” he stated.
Bridging the Gap Between Business and Football
The question of leveraging business success to improve on-field performance is central to FC Tokyo’s strategy. President Kawagishi clarified the relationship: “To begin with, I don’t think it’s possible to change the football side of things significantly from the business side. The direction of the arrow is to improve the content of football and how to develop it into business. This is a cycle where we reinvest business results back into football.”
he explained the club’s journey as he assumed the presidency in 2022: “When I took office, there was a need for initiatives to rebuild and improve the business side due to the coronavirus pandemic, so we started from here.However, in order to get into a good cycle, we have to turn on the switch on the football side to get into that cycle.” He acknowledged the ongoing effort, stating, “However, I can’t help but feel that for now, the picture is not what I had envisioned. As a club as a whole, we need to put our full effort into this and strive for results.”
Investing in the Future
President Kawagishi detailed the progress made in reinvesting business profits into football growth: “I picked up the baton for the 2022 season. With sales declining due to the coronavirus pandemic, how much budget can we allocate to football, including personnel costs? This was not unique to FC Tokyo, but it was certainly a very challenging situation. I think it’s fair to say that I was always walking a tightrope. Naoki Ogane,the previous president and chairman,also had great difficulty with this point. Under these circumstances, we are surviving without making too many cuts to the football budget, and are gradually increasing the budget as we move forward. Naturally, there are always costs associated with business, so we are not able to invest all of the increased sales into football, but we do invest the profits we make. This includes not only the first team but also the academy, and we are finally at the stage where we are starting to use the profits across the football side.”
The Road Ahead
The club’s ambition to establish itself as the premier Tokyo football team faces a notable challenge. The fact that promoted teams FC Machida Zelvia and Tokyo Verdy outperformed FC Tokyo this season is a stark reminder of the work ahead.President Kawagishi acknowledged this, referencing the club’s “FC Tokyo VISION 2030” and his own declaration at the team’s presentation: “that’s right. I also went into the season declaring,’Tokyo will be blue-red’ at the new team system presentation.” The statement underscores the club’s commitment to achieving its long-term goals,despite the setbacks of the 2024 season.
FC Tokyo’s Season Review: A Statistical Deep Dive
FC Tokyo’s recent season concluded with a mixed bag of results, prompting a thorough analysis of their performance and a strategic shift for the future. While the team showed improvement in certain areas, key statistical indicators highlight areas needing attention to reach the top of the J-League.
“We weren’t able to achieve that, and I’ve always felt that we should be number one among the three clubs in Tokyo,” stated a club official, reflecting on the team’s overall performance. “As FC Tokyo, which has been in J1 for a long time, we were proud of that, and we wanted to prove it with results. I strongly feel that this cannot continue.”
The club’s analysis focused heavily on expected goals (xG),a metric that measures the quality of scoring chances created. While the team’s points per game increased to 1.39, the highest since 2013 under coach Ranko Popovic, a significant concern emerged: “Simply, we lost in football,” the official explained. “Their ranking rose from 11th to 7th, and their points increased.The number of points scored has also improved. However, conversely, they were unable to reduce the number of goals they conceded. The average score was 1.34 points, which was a difficult number to rank among the top. The average goal conceded by the top teams is around 1.0 points. There is a big difference.”
The discrepancy between goals scored (1.39 per game) and xG (1.21, according to Data Stadium) revealed a key issue. “Simply expressed, expected goal value is how many chances you have to score a goal,” the official clarified. “There were many cases where decisions were made with little chance. A low value means that there were many shots with low probability. although we scored more goals, I think it gave the impression that we weren’t getting to the front of the goal or that we didn’t have many chances.” The official acknowledged that while scoring efficiently was positive, this approach isn’t sustainable long-term.
The club’s strategy for the upcoming season centers on improving xG. “if you don’t raise your expected goal value, you won’t be able to continue scoring points,” the official emphasized. “looking at the top clubs in the 2024 season, Kobe and Sanfrecce Hiroshima have numbers of 1.6 and 1.8. There is a big difference between us and that is that there are fewer decision-making opportunities. If we don’t improve this number, we won’t be able to move up in ranking.” The official highlighted the need to focus on player creativity, decision-making, and decisive action in front of the goal.
The appointment of Director Rikizo matsuhashi as the new manager reflects this strategic shift. “The expected goal value is only a result indicator, so it is reference data, but it is one of the important elements,” the official noted. “The previous manager, Peter Kramowski, and the former manager, Alber Puig Ortoneda, had very good numbers during their time in the J2 League, with a high goal rate and a low goal against.” This suggests that Matsuhashi’s appointment is based on a proven track record of improving xG and overall team performance.
FC Tokyo Names Rikizo Matsuhashi as New Manager, Sets sights on League Success
FC Tokyo, a prominent Japanese football club, has announced a significant shift in its leadership, appointing Rikizo Matsuhashi as its new manager. This decision marks a strategic move aimed at bolstering the team’s performance and challenging for top spots in the J1 League. The club’s president detailed the reasoning behind the appointment, emphasizing the importance of shared vision and effective communication.
“When considering the changes FC Tokyo is aiming for in soccer, it is indeed extremely critically important to know what the manager thinks about the beliefs and how to apply it to the team, and it is essential to move forward with a common understanding with the club,” the president explained. “Naturally, it is better to have deeper communication. Considering the current situation of the club, I think it would be better to have a Japanese manager next time.”
The president highlighted matsuhashi’s suitability for the role, emphasizing his ability to achieve high performance within budgetary constraints. “Our budget size is seventh or eighth in the league. In order to raise our ranking from here, we will of course work hard to increase our budget. Conversely, I think it is also necessary to compete with a director who can deliver good performance against the budget. Considering that, I think Coach Matsuhashi is one of the best coaches,” he stated.
A key factor in the decision was Matsuhashi’s stated approach: “In Tokyo, we will look for the best solution for Tokyo.” The president believes this philosophy will unlock the team’s full potential. Further details on the club’s strategic plans are expected to be revealed on January 10, 2025.
The club’s president also addressed the financial realities of professional soccer, stating, “Budget is a constant reality for soccer clubs. On the management side, we aim to make the most of the budget we can afford, and the person in charge of reinforcement is thinking about how to use that budget to effectively build the team.” He expressed a desire to break the cycle of underperforming relative to the budget and create a stronger, more financially sustainable club.
The 2024 season saw FC tokyo finish 7th in the J1 League, a result the president acknowledged as falling short of expectations. He emphasized the need for a collaborative effort across all levels of the club – from coaching and player recruitment to operations and management – to achieve a significant turnaround in the upcoming 2025 season.
For more information on FC Tokyo’s plans, visit their fan zone.
Global Impact of Rising Sea Levels: A Growing Threat
The relentless rise of global sea levels poses a significant threat to coastal communities worldwide, including the United States. This escalating issue is driven by climate change, with melting glaciers and thermal expansion of seawater playing key roles.The consequences are far-reaching, impacting not only infrastructure and economies but also displacing populations and threatening biodiversity.
Scientists warn of increasingly severe consequences if immediate action isn’t taken. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued stark warnings about the accelerating pace of sea level rise. While precise predictions vary, the potential for widespread devastation is undeniable. The impact on the U.S. coastline is particularly concerning, with low-lying areas and coastal cities facing significant risks of flooding and erosion.
The economic implications are substantial. Coastal communities rely heavily on tourism, fishing, and other industries vulnerable to rising sea levels. Damage to infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings, will require massive investments in repairs and adaptation measures. The displacement of populations will also place a strain on resources and social services.
Coastal Erosion and the Threat to U.S. cities
The effects are already being felt in the United States. Many coastal cities are experiencing increased flooding during high tides and storms. “We’re seeing more frequent and intense flooding events,” notes a leading coastal geologist. This is leading to significant erosion and damage to property, impacting both residential and commercial areas.
The long-term consequences could be catastrophic. Experts predict that significant portions of valuable coastal real estate could be lost to the sea. This will not only have a devastating impact on property values but also on the economies of affected regions. The need for proactive measures, such as improved coastal defenses and sustainable land-use planning, is paramount.
Furthermore, the displacement of populations due to rising sea levels presents a significant social challenge. Relocating communities requires careful planning and substantial resources. The potential for social unrest and economic hardship is a serious concern that demands immediate attention.
The Urgent Need for Global Cooperation
Addressing the threat of rising sea levels requires a global,collaborative effort. International agreements and policies are crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.Investing in renewable energy sources and implementing sustainable practices are essential steps towards a more resilient future. “the time for action is now,” emphasizes a leading climate scientist. Failure to act decisively will only exacerbate the problem, leading to more severe and irreversible consequences.
The United States, with its extensive coastline and vulnerable coastal cities, has a critical role to play in this global effort. Investing in research,developing innovative solutions,and collaborating with international partners are essential steps towards protecting our coastlines and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
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The destructive power of rising sea levels is already being felt. erosion is accelerating, swallowing coastlines and eroding beaches. Flooding is becoming more frequent and severe, inundating homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Saltwater intrusion is contaminating freshwater sources, threatening agriculture and drinking water supplies. Ecosystems are disrupted, leading to habitat loss and biodiversity decline.
Coastal communities on the front line
Coastal communities around the world are facing the brunt of these impacts. Low-lying islands and coastal cities are notably vulnerable. In the United States, areas like Florida, Louisiana, and the Chesapeake Bay region are grappling with accelerated sea level rise and its devastating consequences.
the economic fallout is substantial. Coastal tourism, a vital industry for many regions, is being undermined by beach erosion and storm damage. Property values are plummeting as homes become increasingly susceptible to flooding. Infrastructure, from roads and bridges to power plants, is at risk.
Beyond the economic costs, there is a profound human toll. Displacement is a growing concern as peopel are forced to flee their homes due to rising waters. This migration can strain resources in inland areas and exacerbate social inequalities. The loss of cultural heritage and ancestral lands adds another layer of complexity and trauma.
taking action: Mitigation and adaptation
Addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by rising sea levels requires a two-pronged approach:
- mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is paramount to slowing the rate of sea level rise.
- Adaptation: Implementing strategies to adapt to the unavoidable changes already underway is crucial. This includes:
- Building sea walls and levees to protect coastal areas.
- Elevating homes and infrastructure.
- Restoring coastal ecosystems like mangroves and salt marshes, which act as natural buffers.
- Developing early warning systems and evacuation plans for coastal communities.
International cooperation is essential to tackling this global challenge. Sharing knowledge, technology, and financial resources is crucial to support vulnerable countries and communities.
The urgency of the situation calls for bold action now. Delaying response will only magnify the costs and consequences. By confronting the challenge head-on and embracing innovative solutions,we can build a more resilient future for coastal communities.
