TOKYOism

The season of farewell has arrived. It has been decided that Peter CKLAMOVSKI, who took charge midway through last season, will step down at the end of this season, marking the end of a one-and-a-half season adventure with the blue and red. At the press conference for the last match against Cerezo Osaka in Sec. 38 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, he posed this question.

"It has been seven years since I came to Japan. Now, I will close this chapter here. Looking back, what kind of time has these seven years been?"

Coach Klamovski said, "There have been many chapters over these seven years," and wove these words.

"There have been various things. For me and my family, over these seven years, Japan has felt like home. I truly want to thank everyone who has been involved with me. I have been able to meet really wonderful people in various places in Japan. This includes people I met outside of football. I believe those people will remain in my heart for a lifetime. I want to sincerely thank everyone from the clubs I have been involved with so far."

Upon hearing that, interpreter Hiroshi ENDO trembled his voice beside him. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI served as head coach of Yokohama F.Marinos for two years and officially started his coaching career at Shimizu S-Pulse from the 2020 season. During his time as the commander of Montedio Yamagata, he was a close presence, supporting him throughout his five years as a coach. The classmates he met in Japan deepened their relationship over the years, discussing soccer with a cup of coffee in hand and sharing personal consultations. The two agree that they are like a couple who have been together for many years. In parting with his buddy, who he is dissolving the partnership with, he said, "I thought (Coach CKLAMOVSKI) would make me cry. I'm sorry," and after catching his breath, he immediately returned to work.

"I believe that the relationships with the football family and friends last a lifetime. A special chapter is about to close now. However, I think it will continue in another place. Someday, I will return here again."

The overall record in blue and red is 22 wins, 12 draws, and 21 losses in league matches. The coach, who achieved an average of 1.41 points per game, will now take a different path from here.

Peter traced the 18-month footprint of Tokyo. Last summer, due to poor performance, the club decided to dismiss former coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, and it was Peter CKLAMOVSKI who took over in a challenging situation. Aiming for aggressive football with high pressing and a high line, he approached this season with the goal of advancing to the top ranks. However, lacking stability until the end, the season ultimately concluded in 7th place. At the beginning, there was a word he emphasized.

There are 11 captains on the field

Saying that, he appointed Masato MORISHIGE, Kei KOIZUMI, and Kuryu MATSUKI as captains from different generations. Among them, he mentioned that it was "intentional" to assign the important role to the third-year professional Kuryu MATSUKI, reflecting on it this way.

"He was a player with a strong character, strong mentality, and of course, talent. I expected him to have a sense of responsibility as a captain. I think it was a significant experience for a twenty-year-old player to serve as captain. He has moved in the right direction and proved what he can do. Additionally, the other captains created an environment where everyone could grow in the right direction. At the beginning of the season, I mentioned that there were eleven captains on the field. I believe that the overall mentality of the team has improved. We must continue to foster that growth moving forward."

Matsuki has prepared for his dream challenge in Europe and departed after two and a half seasons with the team. Coach Klamovski also encouraged his student, saying, "I am proud of him." Not only Matsuki, but also young players like Teppei Oka, Kota Tawaratsumida, Kanta DOI, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, and Leon NOZAWA have been continuously given opportunities to play.

"There may be hesitant leaders regarding that. I trust them and have faith. They have also shown the appropriate quality. Many young players have seized playing time and will become the foundation for the club's future. Many players have made their debuts under me. I feel special about being able to engage in such efforts as a coach, and I am proud that they have seized opportunities and contributed to the team. To become important players for this club in the future, opportunities must be given; otherwise, their potential will not even be visible. That is something I take pride in. Additionally, experienced players have shared the experiences they have cultivated with many young players. I believe that these things will form the foundation and shape the future of this club."

While adhering to his beliefs, Matsuki's departure led to a significant decline in performance during the peak of summer. After the match against Albirex Niigata on July 13 in Sec. 23, the team was left without a victory for about two months. As a result of continuing to play in a monotonous manner under the scorching sun, they also experienced a long tunnel of six winless matches. The team, lacking flexibility, spent a time of dormancy. During this period, they often faced boos from the crowd. Nevertheless, the straightforward coach stood in front of the blue and red-filled goal area after each match, stating, "There is no need to lie or hide. It is necessary to overcome the difficulties we face and seize each moment. Criticism is an inherent part of football."

"What I needed to do was focus on what I could see. However, during difficult times, the players united and desperately tried to move forward. It was the strength of everyone, not just the players on the field, but also the coaching staff. In a long season, such things can happen, and we have to rise up on our own. In any club, such things can occur at different times. Looking back now, the summer was tough, but I believe it was one of the processes for the team to learn."

Baby steps to Giant strides──。

Believing that a small step leads to significant growth, I did not bend that approach.

"I believe that's my way of doing things. There are good times and bad times. I expected that to happen. I should have realized that such experiences are necessary to create something special. Success doesn't come suddenly. You have to work hard for it and overcome difficult times. And you have to learn. It's because of that that you can become stronger. This season, there were times when we let go of the flow ourselves. Looking back, I think it was part of the team's growth. Because there were lessons to bring us closer to the team we dreamed of, we should be able to learn, rise up, and brighten the future."

Since the heat eased in September, we have continued an unbeaten streak of 5 matches. After a three-game losing streak, we secured a victory in the final match, celebrating the farewell of Diego OLIVEIRA, who will retire at the end of this season. The story of a year and a half has come to an end, and when asked, "Do you have any regrets?" he immediately replied with a bright expression, "Not at all."

"I believe I understand what is necessary to shape success. During my 18 months here, I think I have been able to lay the foundation for the future. When I arrived, only my close friend Mr. Endo (Hiroshi ENDO, interpreter), who could be called my second wife, knew about me. That is where this journey began. However, I believe that together with each player here and everyone involved with the club, we have been able to shape the future. At the beginning, there were clear tasks to be done, and it was about the process we would go through from there. I am sure that compared to the beginning, things have improved by 100 percent. What we should attain is surely ahead of us. Without the chapters carved in these 18 months, success would not be possible. I pray for the club's success from afar, while holding the blue and red in my heart."

Having left the team halfway through without ever seeing the full picture of the "dream team" that has been talked about for so long. No one knows what it looked like or what form it took. When I conveyed this, he smiled with a slightly troubled expression and said, "That's a complicated question," and continued.

"We have been working hard every day towards becoming a dream team. Talent is necessary, and hard work is also required. The players' mindset and the right materials must come together. Everyone has given their all. To reach our dreams, we must go through the process. I believe that reaching our dreams starts from here."

Even after leaving the club, I intend to continue my workaholic coaching career. Over the past seven years, I have moved between four clubs and have experienced both the bitter and the sweet. Still, I want to continue standing on the coaching field.

"I believe the driving force behind my hard work has been my passion and love for football. Together with the people in this club, I have been working to grow every day. This applies to me as well as to those around me. If we can build such an environment, everyone can work hard while enjoying it. This job requires me to give my utmost. I have tried to help others and bring out their best. I have wanted to achieve something and build something special. I think this job allows for that. There is an irreplaceable feeling in football, and I have been pursuing it. It might be something that captivates you. There are various flavors, but surely it is special. Once you experience it, you want to taste it again. Achieving something with someone creates a special emotion. This club has not yet achieved the J1 League championship. However, I believe we are walking the path that leads there."

The profession of a coach begins with a countdown to farewell starting at the moment of inception. The farewell that will come someday has arrived now. The earnest coach says, "That's football."

"I am honored to have stepped into this wonderful football club. Considering how special it is, I feel lucky. There are truly amazing fans and supporters, and the players felt like something special. I can't even think about facing Tokyo right now. I leave here with that pride."

The last message upon departure was a feeling of gratitude towards the fans and supporters.

Thank you for always supporting Tokyo and creating a special atmosphere during the matches. I am happy to have been a part of it. I believe that fans and supporters are everything for a football club. The fans and supporters of Tokyo are special. I wish for the future success of the club and want to continue supporting it together with them. The time spent here was a foundation for seizing the future. It's not 'goodbye,' but 'see you again.' We may be singing together in the stands someday. However, I think it won't be for a little while. The future is still uncertain, but let's hug again.

This club is likely in a transitional period in its history. In the 'between' where the past and future intertwine, coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI has been trying to convey important messages.

The show goes on──

A new show begins from the city I dreamed of so much that I couldn't sleep. After parting, the season of encounters arrives.

Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)