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, the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 38 against Cerezo Osaka, 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 the past seven years," and wove these words.

There have been many things. For me and my family, I have come to feel Japan as my home over these seven years. 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 as well. I believe those people will remain in my heart for a lifetime. I really want to express my gratitude to everyone at the clubs I have been involved with so far.

Hiroshi ENDO, the interpreter, trembled his voice beside him upon hearing that. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI served as the head coach of Yokohama F.Marinos for two years and officially started his coaching career with 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 who 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 is dissolving their partnership, he expressed, "I thought (Coach CKLAMOVSKI) would cry. I'm sorry," and after catching his breath, 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 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, they ultimately finished the season 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 entrust the important role to the third-year professional Kuryu MATSUKI, reflecting on this.

"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 11 captains on the field. I believe that the overall mentality of the team has improved. We must continue to foster that growth in the future."

That Matsuki 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 delivered the appropriate quality. Many young players have seized their playing time and will become the foundation for the club's future. Many players made their debut under me. I feel special that I was able to engage in such efforts as a coach, and I am proud that they seized the opportunity and contributed to the team. To become important players for this club in the future, opportunities must be given; otherwise, the 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 such things will form the foundation and shape the future of this club."

While adhering to their beliefs, the departure of Matsuki led to a major slump in the summer. After the match against Albirex Niigata on July 13 in Sec. 23, they were left without a victory for about two months. As a result of continuing a monotonous style of play in the scorching heat, they also experienced a long tunnel of six winless matches. The team, lacking flexibility, spent a time of dormancy. During that period, they faced their fair share of boos. Nevertheless, the straightforward coach stood in front of the blue and red-filled supporters after every match, stating, "There is no need to lie, nor to hide. It is necessary to overcome the difficulties we face, seizing each moment as it comes. Criticism is an inherent part of football."

"What I needed to do was to 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 can only rise up on our own. At any club, such things can occur at different times. Looking back now, the summer was tough, but I think 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 all at once. 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 we had lessons to get closer to the team we dreamed of, we can learn, rise up, and brighten the future."

Since September, when the heat has eased, we have continued an unbeaten streak of 5 matches. After a series of 3 consecutive losses, we achieved 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 Endo (Hiroshi ENDO, the interpreter) knew about me, who could also be called my second wife. 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. When I first came, 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 have 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 I have always talked about. No one knows what it looked like or what form it took. When I conveyed that, with a slightly melancholic expression, he smiled 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' feelings 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, experiencing both the bitter and the sweet. Yet, I still want to remain on the coaching front.

I believe that 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 create such an environment, everyone can work hard while enjoying it. This job requires me to give my utmost. I have been trying to help others and bring out their best. I have wanted to achieve something and build something special. I think this job allows me to do 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 to it.

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 before leaving 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 to 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 the future intertwine, coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI has been trying to convey something important.

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 Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)