“There are so many coaches who blame the referee or the weather for their defeat, but you make no excuses in your post-match comments.”

It was Mr. SATO Ryota, a journalist for “Reds Press,” a media outlet specialising in Urawa Red Diamonds news, who asked the question at a press conference held by Reds head coach Maciej SKORZA two days before a J.League match. He is a unique journalist who always poses questions with a lot of heart..

Typically, the coach's press conference focuses on the team's current performance, forthcoming opponents, and tactical issues. Coach must usually be extremely careful when answering sensitive questions, paying attention to the slightest nuance, as the players will always read what they have said. But when faced with the unique question from Sato, Skorza broke into a smile and responded as follows.

Generally, I’m trying to start looking of any mistakes from my side. Of course, sometimes it happens that I am angry for referee or feel unlucky or something other. I am only human and so I think this is normal. And after a very nervous game my comments could not be like you expect. But, to be honest, sometimes my reactions, my bad face, my worst face, may start showing after the press conference. So I remember, for example, my most nervous reaction during this 6 months was after Sagan Tosu game, when we lost 0-2 at home 4 days after the AFC Champions’ League Final. My nervousness was not because my mistakes or unlucky. Only my nervous reaction was we had to play that game in 4 days after the final. I am not perfect.

Skorza, a native of Poland, has spent the majority of his nearly 20-year professional coaching career working with clubs in his home country. Upon taking over as Urawa coach this season, he stated, “I am delighted to be working in a country with such a beautiful culture,”

Skorza's “humility” is a quality that always stands out to me when I hear him speak. Polish football has a much richer history than Japanese football, having finished third at the FIFA World Cup™, but despite coming from such a European powerhouse, he never forgets to show respect to the country of Japan, which is why I am so impressed by his attitude.

Since the pre-season, Urawa has been holding online press conferences with Skorza on an almost weekly basis. However, it was assistant coach Rafal JANAS, also from Poland, who took Skorza's place at the press conference held the week before and, like the head coach, shared his thoughts openly.

Janas is primarily responsible for coaching the team's offence. Many head coaches in foreign leagues do not like their assistant coaches to interact the media, but when he was asked about it the following week, Skorza had this to say.

“This is a testament to my trust in my coaches. I believe in all the coaches I work with. In our (Polish) culture, we put them in front of the media in return for their daily work. This is a way of showing my respect for them.”

According to Janas, Urawa's coaches, including the video analysts, constantly communicate their ideas to the head coach. Skorza will also raise a number of questions, and after a discussion with the entire coaching staff, the final decision will be made by the head coach.

Even after such a process, there are times when a match does not go to plan. Two days after the press conference with Skorza, Urawa were held to a scoreless draw as they failed to execute their game plan in the attacking third.

After the match, Skorza admitted the team's poor performance, saying, “It was a bit of a surprise for me too, because we really didn't perform well in offence.” What he then said about the reason for the team's shortcomings really showed his character.

“Maybe the training sessions I put together last week weren’t good enough.”

Always respectful of those around him and never losing his “humility,” the 51-year-old coach is destined for great things in the world of football.

Written by OSUMI Yoshiyuki (Football Journalist)

*This article was originally posted on the Japan Football Association Newsletter, “JFAnews,” August 2023 edition.

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