We would like to share the message we have received from our former coach, Bruno GARCIA, who led the Japan Futsal National Team in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™ and stepped down from the coaching position at the end of October 2021.

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Bruno GARCIA, former coach of Japan Futsal National Team
“Pride” and “Gratitude” would be the two words that summarise my five-year in this country.

I am proud of the many things we have achieved, the role I had in leading the identity of the national team, the outstanding mentality and personality shown on and off the pitch, and the role I had in bringing together all the people around futsal. Above all, for the legacy we leave behind in terms of the performance and development of the national team, as we were able to build our personal “style book” through our game model, training model, and work model.

I am proud to bring this country back onto the podium in Asia. The long-awaited participation in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™, where we demonstrated that we are much closer to the world than we were five years ago, as we managed to compete with historic powerhouses like Spain, Paraguay, and Brazil until the very last minute of each match. I believe these were the things that convinced me that Japan is on the right path to continue its growth on the world stage.

I am proud of the fact that I was able to be involved in the training of coaches. In particular, I am proud that I was able to contribute to the association's plan to have a Japanese coach lead the Japan Futsal National Team in the near future.

I am proud of how we coped with the repeated changes and adversities we faced during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the 18 months leading up to the World Cup, we were not able to play any international matches, but we were able to work together and overcome each challenge with an “Ichigo Ichie (Once-in-a-lifetime)” spirit.

I am proud that I was able to take the initiative for generational change of players from the U-20 to the senior team and lead the project to discover young talents that would strengthen the Japanese futsal community in the long-run.

I am proud to read a multitude of messages that described what this national team has showed and conveyed to the fans all over the world. I am proud of so many other aspects that if I tried to write them in this letter, it would be like a book with many chapters.

It is time to share my gratitude. I would like to make sure that no one is left out, but I may be remiss in doing so, and I apologise in advance for that.

I would like to extend my sincere and affectionate thanks to:

Japan Football Association (JFA), for believing in me and entrusting me with the responsibility of leading the team to the World Cup, and for their help and hospitality that allowed both my family and I feel at home. I would also like to thank the board members, staff, and my colleagues from various categories of men's and women's football, as well as the staff of the beach soccer national team.

All of the players that I have had the honour of working with over the past five years. I would like to thank each and every one of you for your dedication and for the time we spent together. Also, to the players who did not play for the national team, there is no doubt that your daily efforts supported the players of the national team.

The technical and medical staff of the national team. I would like to thank you all for your loyal commitment, generous efforts, and passion that you have shown us.

The F.League, all the clubs and their management, coaches and technical staff for their warm cooperation and care. I thank everyone for working with me on this futsal project.

All the referees, who have listened to my messages in good faith to improve the level of futsal in this country.

The members of the press, for their dedicated coverage, especially for their efforts to keep our supporters informed about our activities during the difficult times of the pandemic.

And finally, our fans and supporters, who are the ones who give meaning to our efforts in the first place. This includes people outside the country, my family, and friends. You have been our driving force. We have felt your support even when we were far away from home. You all are truly amazing and special. Please continue to support the team and never change.

All the people mentioned above have taken active roles in writing new and wonderful pages in the history of Japanese futsal. I am convinced that your influence will not be limited to this country, but also around the world, and that it will continue to grow over the years. I feel honoured to have been entrusted with the role of leading it.

What I do not want to forget are my predecessors. In particular, the foreign coaches who came to Japan, such as Sergio Sappo and Miguel Rodrigo. They were instrumental in the development of futsal in this country. And in that sense, I believe that we have worked together to pave the way for the Japanese coaches to someday lead the Japan Futsal National Team.

Lastly, I wish the best of luck for the next coach who will succeed me, because his/her good fortune will be the good fortune of the entire Japanese futsal community.

As a professional, I would like to take my time to consider what challenges I should face in terms of my career, personal, and family life in the future.

From now on, as a fan who unconditionally supports the Japan National Team, I will be watching to see them continue to reap many more achievements and give great joy to their fans all around the world.

If this wonderful country ever needs me for anything, my door is always open. I felt the connection from the very first day I arrived in Japan, and since then, I have engraved many wonderful memories in my heart that will never disappear. “GRACIAS JAPON.”

Sincerely yours,

Bruno García