Javier Aguirre, who took over as the new head coach of the Japan National Team, appeared at a press conference in Tokyo on 11 August. He spoke of his aspiration, ‘I want to build a team of players, who work hard, competing with each other.’
After the head coach Aguirre arrived at Haneda airport in the afternoon, he moved to a hotel in Tokyo. He seemed in good spirits in front of the more than 300 media representatives gathered and commented: ‘I’m very pleased and honoured to coach these wonderful players of this wonderful country. I absolutely want to get the team to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

The 55-year-old head coach, who is from Mexico City, led the Mexico national team to the last 16 twice at the World Cup in 2002 and 2010. He also took C.F. Pachuca (Mexico) to the Mexican Winter League title and led CA Osasuna (Spain) to second place in Copa del Rey. He won 59 caps for Mexico including at the 1986 World Cup, and scored 14 goals.

Aguirre described accepting this position as ‘a massive challenge in my career’, pointing out that ‘Japanese players have very similar characteristics to those of the Mexican players, such as the way they handle the ball.’ He also commented: ‘I’d like to build a team, in which the players work hard, competing, and do their best against any team. I focus on defence. It’s vital to have good defences to steal the ball and handle it precisely to get what the team wants. All 11 players, including the goalkeeper, will be able to defend and attack.’

Aguirre’s first game will be a friendly against Uruguay in the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2014 (Sapporo Dome, Hokkaido) on 5 September.
There will be another match against Venezuela (International Stadium Yokohama, Kanagawa) on 9 September, followed by the one against Jamaica (Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata) on 10 October and the one against Brazil (Singapore) on 14 October. Two more games are also planned in November before the AFC Asian Cup in January 2015, where Japan aims at becoming back-to-back champions.

The new coach noted: ‘I will choose players that have potential and players that are hungry to play for their country. I do not want individuals but team players that can contribute.’ He also commented: ‘our normal game formation is 4-3-3, but we’ll be flexible depending on the match.’
His football philosophy is simple - ‘run hard, play well and win. Remember the players play for their country. The most important thing is that each player plays his role to contribute to the team.’
Aguirre will be a regular at J. League matched, starting this weekend.

Comments

JAVIER Aguirre, the head coach of Japan National Team
I had an offer from the JFA four years ago. I couldn’t accept then for family reasons, but they have been monitoring my work since then. I had other offers from club teams or national teams in other countries. I thought Japan’s offer was earnest and gentlemanlike and I was interested in taking them to the 2018 FIFA World Cup as my own project. Japan have participated in the World Cup five times so far, and the level of the J. League has improved as well. I watched the matches at the London Olympics. There are many young and talented players, including some who are playing in Europe. I see the possibility for Japan to go to Russia. I will pay attention to the young generation ready for the Olympics.

DAINI Kuniya, JFA President
Unfortunately, the Japan National Team couldn’t get through the group stage in the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. We learned from our experiences and will dedicate all our strength in order to win matches in Asia and across the world from now. I’m absolutely certain that Javier Aguirre has the right experience to be our coach. We have the AFC Asian Cup in January, where we aim at wining the championship again. I hope the Japan National Team, led by Javier Aguirre, will inspire the Japanese youth and the J. League and energise Japanese football even more. I will aim to achieve higher goals with the coach, thinking of the World Cup in Russia in four years.

HARA Hiromi, JFA General Secretary and Technical Director
I am very pleased to welcome Javier Aguirre as a head coach today. (This time) After the FIFA World Cup, Technical Committee had a meeting to discuss the organization going forward and decided to hold negotiation with Aguirre, head coach. And he kindly decided to take up the offer of Japan National Team head coach position out of so many offers. I believe he will be able to further strengthen the football of Japan by leveraging his professional experiences. Besides the head coach of national team, he had a track record of accepting the offer of Zaragoza and Espanyol of Spanish La Liga amid unfavorable conditions at respective club and managed to stay in La Liga by rebuilding the defense. Must be much tougher job than to lead a competitive team. With his professional experience and knowledge, I am sure he will bring much better balance in the squad, not just improving defense or just offense.

Click here for recorded press conference of Javier Aguirre, New head coach of Japan National Team