JSoccer

26/06/2025

José Ignacio "Nacho" Fernández Garcia
Assistant coach, Spain national team women

(attached photos have three pages of the interview set out for the web site, also, with pictures. And the pictures are also attached here... so you have all versions of this interview!!

In the week approaching Nadeshiko Japan's friendly match in Spain Ladies I was fortunate enough to catch up with assistant coach of the Spanish team - "Nacho" Fernández - who has a Japanese connection, and was happy to talk about it!

JSoccer (JSoccer): Greetings from Japan, and thank you for your time... my first question would be that I notice you were already coaching - in the youth set-up at SD Llano 2000, in Spain - in the year 2000, when you were still in your mid-20s. How did you get into the coaching so early?

Nacho Fernández (NF): I started - as they say - in the basement - very early, when I had the chance to coach at Llano. When I first began I was coach and also Director of Football at times, learning as I went along. I then got an offer to coach at Mosconia in Spain's 3rd division (4th tier) while I was studying to gain more experience and qualifications. I took that offer and never looked back! I worked at various clubs and levels getting more and more experience - including a spell in Venezuela. Most recently I was at Getafe (for the second time).

JS: And somewhere in there - in 2019 - you ended up in Japan at FC Ryukyu. How did that come about?

NF: I was assistant manager at Valencia at the time, but very interested in Japan and my good friend Ricardo Rodriguez was there (at Urawa Reds, at that time, currently at Kashiwa Reysol). I studied with Ricardo and we actually got our degrees at the same time 25 years ago! I heard from him that FC Ryukyu were looking for a head coach (manager) and I accepted their offer - coming in there after seven successive defeats! I came in, during the Covid epidemic, which made things even harder. It was a very difficult situation, but we managed to start winning, but unfortunately we could not avoid relegation, although I'd like to note that if the league had started upon my arrival, then safety would have been reached, but sadly, Ryukyu were already too far gone by this time.

JS: How did you find Japan during your short stay?

NF: It was an amazing experience. I now have Japan in my heart. I was treated so well in all aspects of life. I especially remember after the final game of the season - after relegation was confirmed - I spent two hours talking to the fans, taking pictures and much more. A very emotional experience.

JS: Can I presume you'd be interested in returning to Japan if you had the chance.
Nacho 3
NF: Yes indeed, very interested! Someday, yes, it would be a pleasure to return. Japan is by far the best league in Asia and I have some great connections there. The Japanese players are at such a high level, such great talents, especially technically and when they return to Japan it's good to see them bring back what they learned from playing overseas. There are now so many Japanese players in the best leagues... it's great to see.

JS: What do you feel that a foreign coach can bring to Japan?

NF: I feel in particular that Spanish coaches are well-prepared, and you can see them all over the world, and with the discipline and hard work of Japanese players combined with the tactical knowledge of foreign coaches, we can improve their all-round play. We have this Spanish mentality to be well-prepared, a great culture of winning and this can only help Japanese players, too.

JS: And now, with the Spain Ladies national team. How did that come about?

NF: I was assistant manager at Getafe at the time and the head coach/manager of the Spain Women's team is a long-time friend and she approached me with an offer to join her staff. I was honoured - after being a "standard" coach, a sporting director, and various other positions in the football world, now I had the chance to be with a national team. It is a very different system and style than with a club team. It's not something that is happening on a daily basis but i very concentrated at certain times. I am enjoying it.
JS: Spain will play their final match before the European Championship against Japan. What are your plans or expectations for this game?
NF: I expect it to be a tough game for us, and very entertaining. The Japan team has many excellent players in the best leagues in the world - Spain, Italy, England and more. They have some very dynamic and technical players all over the field. They recently changed their manager and I feel that the new manager is changing the team to play the way he wants them to play. The team is progressing well. For us, it is a very important game, since the Euros are approaching, even if it is "only" a friendly.

JS: Can I presume that Spain will be at full strength and taking this game very seriously?

NF: Yes, certainly. Even though we have a tiring few weeks ahead of us, we hope for a good game here and then three excellent group games in the European Championships, and then, hopefully more games, of course, as we progress. So a tiring time is ahead, but the game against Japan will be taken very seriously.

JS: For those of us watching the game in Japan, who on the Spanish team should be look out for?

NF: Fortunately we have many good players... if I had to highlight any, perhaps a mention for (MF) Alexia Putellas (131 caps, 34 goals, plays at Barcelona), (MF) Aitana Bonmati (78 caps, 30 goals, Barcelona), and (FW) English WSL Player-of-the-Season 2025 Mariona Caldentey (88 caps, 29 goals, Arsenal)... but I am very fortunate as a coach to have a whole squad of very talented players to work with.

JS: The Japan squad has some different faces in it as the new manager Nils Nielson looks to try things and develop tactics... it might be an experimental Japanese side?

NF: I know that the new manager is working on his own strategies and there will be some experimentation, but no one will be called up for the national team unless they deserve it and we will not be making the mistake of underestimating the Japan side, even if there are changes and lesser-known players in the match. It is, of course, important to use these "friendly" games to try things and experiment, but no games are easy, whatever the other side does!

JS: I have had my eyes on one young player in particular recently and I notice that he was developed by you in the second team of Atlético de Madrid - Argentina's Giuliano Simeone - what can you say about him?

NF: I managed the B team of Atlético 2019 to 2021, before moving to Japan. They were in the 3rd division of the Spanish League (and almost made it to promotion, losing out only on penalty kicks in the play-off for promotion) and I am proud to have helped develop many young players, including Giuliano Simeone. I am very happy for him. He has worked very hard from day one at Atlético B, and I knew he would make it to the first team. I'm proud to have helped develop him, and many other players who are now playing in many different teams in the top two divisions in Spain, and elsewhere.

JS: Thank you, Nacho, for your time and we wish you the best in your game against Japan, and who knows, perhaps we will see you again in Japan sometime in the future!! In the game against Japan, when the camera comes close to you, please give JSoccer a wave!!

NF: Of course!! Thank you for your time, and let's keep in touch!!
Pictures courtesy of Nacho Fernández
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nachofcoach
https://www.nachofernandezcoach.com/

INTERVIEW for JSoccer Magazine and JSoccer.com

20/05/2025

WE League is over... Nitere Tokyo BELEZA scraped home as champions in a tight three-horse race with INAC Kobe and Urawa Reds Ladies.

03/05/2025

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15/04/2025

NOW AVAILABLE: all 32 issues of JSoccer Mag on PDF for $32! DM for details! Thank you!

Random Memory!
Spring 2016 JSoccer Magazine featured youngster Kosuke Nakamura - Kashiwa Reysol GK (must be news on him coming soon!) and new shirts! Keisuke Honda was excited about that!

27/03/2025

Nadeshiko Japan squad to play Colombia on April 6th at
Yodoko Sakura Stadium, Osaka)

𝗚𝗞
1 HIRAO Chika　Albirex Niigata Ladies
12 KONOMI Runa　Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina
23 OKUMA Akane　INAC Kobe Leonessa

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4 KUMAGAI Saki 　London City Lionesses
13 KITAGAWA Hikaru　BK Häcken
2 ENDO Yu　Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies
3 MINAMI Moeka　AS Roma
5 TAKAHASHI Hana　Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies
21 ISHIKAWA Rion　Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies
22 SASAKI Rio　Mynavi Sendai Ladies
6 KOGA Toko　Feyenoord

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8 SEIKE Kiko　Brighton & Hove Albion
14 HASEGAWA Yui　Manchester City
18 SUGITA Hina　Portland Thorns FC
10 NAGANO Fuka　Liverpool FC
19 NAKASHIMA Yoshino　Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina
7 MIYAZAWA Hinata　Manchester United
17 HAMANO Maika　Chelsea
20 MATSUKUBO Manaka　 North Carolina Courage
16 TANIKAWA Momoko　Bayern Munich

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11 TANAKA Mina　Utah Royals
15 UENO Mami　Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina
9 UEKI Riko　West Ham United

20/03/2025

Qualified!
"Japan have become the first nation to book their place at the FIFA World Cup 26™ through confederation qualifying, having sealed their spot with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain. In doing so, the Samurai Blue have reaffirmed their status as one of Asian football’s powerhouses and joined the most exciting and inclusive sporting event of all time in style. "
The graphic shows the teams who are so far confirmed to be taking part in 2026!
(C) FIFA
Thank you to FIFA for the images. and text

07/02/2025

Interview with Kotaro Nagata.

Background…�Kotaro Nagata was born on June 17th, 2005 in Kanagawa. He joined Kawasaki Frontale’s youth system before moving from their Under 12 team to Yokohama FC Junior Youth. In May 2022, he was registered with Yokohama FC’s first team as a “second-category player”. On June 8th of that year he made his first team debut as a substitute in the 2nd round of the Emperor's Cup against Sony Sendai FC. In August 2023, he signed a professional contract with Yokohama FC and immediately went on loan to UD Oliveirense, Portugal.�

©UD OLIVEIRENSE SAD�

Q. First of all, please tell us why you came to Oliveirense in Portugal from Japan.

� Yokohama FC and Portugal's Oliveirense are connected, and by having young players in Japan play in Europe, they can grow little by little and contribute to the team's victory like me, so I feel really grateful for this system, allowing me to take a challenge overseas.

�Q. When you first joined Oliveirense, I think Kazuyoshi Miura was there. What kind of person is Kazuyoshi Miura to you? Have you ever been influenced by him?

� Kazu-san has been my hero since I was very young, and he's a legend in Japan. He gave me a lot of advice when I was 18 years old. In my first year, there were things that didn't go well. I wasn’t playing many games, and I didn't get the results I hoped for, but Kazu-san's attitude towards training and enjoying playing was a great learning experience for me, and I think I'm making good use of what I've learned from him now, in my second year at the club.
�
Q. The Portuguese second division is very physical and difficult. What was the hardest part about adapting to it? And how did you feel after scoring your first goal?

� At first, I was most surprised by the physical strength of the players around me. There were African players, in particular, who would be able to take the ball from me in places where I normally wouldn’t expect to be challenged, and it was difficult to move forward while holding the ball. However, I gradually got used to it, and I feel that the quality of my play has changed by gradually improving the position of that first control, and paying close attention to each of my plays in every training session. I feel that this has been more noticeable this year, but I still need to become faster, and stronger physically. My goal now is to play in the Portuguese first division, so I want to be more strict with myself in my daily training and push myself to the limit in terms of speed and physique, while becoming a smarter and better player. I'm small in stature, so I can not be lacking in anything else, so I want to do my best to win in all aspects… except height.

Q. You are a young player with a bright future… do you feel any pressure? Also, do you feel motivated by the fact that other Japanese players have done well in Portugal?

�I don't feel any pressure. I think there are things that only I can do, and I want to be someone who can give hope to people who are worried about being small, regardless of soccer. It gives me hope to see other Japanese players like Shoya Nakajima and Kanya Fujimoto who are short but have the skills and play like me, as an attacking midfielder or on the wing, playing here. Nakajima, in particular has been a role model, and I have been conscious of his playing style since I was little, so it would be great if I could step up and play like him, but first I want to play well at Oliveirense and do my best to surpass them, not just look up to them.

�Q: What are your future goals?

� My biggest goal is to play in the UEFA Champions League and do well, but in order to do that I need to go to the first division of Portugal, so I want to do what I need to do at Oliveirense to make this happen. Also, there is the U-20 World Cup next year, so I want to play on the World Cup stage, and I'm really motivated to try to make that happen. I want to do what I can now to achieve that goal and play well and score goals at Oliveirense. I want �to show my gratitude to Oliveirens, and I want to become a player who is more liked by Oliveirense's fans and supporters, which I think will help me grow as a player, so I want to do my best.

28/01/2025

Japan's U20 squad announced today (Japanese language)

31/12/2024

Keigo Tsunemoto doing well in Switzerland!

31/12/2024

A few weeks back, Lionel Piguet was in Switzerland to cover Japanese players in Europe for JSoccer Magazine...

Here is his short interview of Servette's (and former Kashima Antlers star defender) Keigo Tsunemoto... this is a Facebook JSoccer group exclusive (but please, feel free to share!!)...

Happy 2025 to you!

JSoccer: Thank you for your time... today we'd like to move away from talking about today's game and ask you some general questions about your career so far. Hopefully that's all good with you?!

Keigo Tsunemoto: Certainly, go ahead!

JS: Firstly, you left Kashima Antlers at a young age and very quickly, and it seems that the Antlers youth system produces many players who do this... but, it is especially true for Antlers, that many players return to the team after experiencing a sojourn overseas. As we speak I can think of Mitsuo Ogasawara, Koji Nakata, Atstuto Uchida, Koki Anzai, Yuma Suzuki and most recently, Gaku Shibasaki and Kento Misao. Why do you think this happens?

KT: I have great respect for the Antlers organisation, and am very grateful for them allowing me to develop, and then grow with an overseas move. I still watch J.League, and of course, keep up with Kashima Antlers very closely. If the opportunity arose in the future, I would definitely also consider a return to Antlers.

JS: Fans in Japan and fans in Europe are very different. Today, for example the game was interrupted a little due to over-enthusiastic fans! What are your thoughts on fans over here?

KT: The culture of the fans in Japan and Europe is very different. When I first arrived I was shocked by some of the things I saw, but I've been here more than a year now and am getting used to it! It's interesting and fun to see.

JS: We saw the game today stopped for three or four minutes, due to flares(?), does this happen at every game?

KT: No, not every game, just the big ones, the derbies and the like.

JS: You've been here at Servette for well over a year already... do you plan to stay longer?

KT: My contract was for three years, so I'm here for another year, until next summer at least. Then, who knows. I want to make the step up to the Japan national team ... if good offers come along - a new challenge, or if Servette wish me to stay... I'm considering options.

JS: Who are some of the people who have influenced you in your career so far? Perhaps when you played for Yokohama F.Marinos in your youth days, or at Meiji University, or when you played for Japan's U17 national team, is there anyone who has really helped you along the way?

KT: There are so many people who have helped me along the way. Probably the most influential person in my career so far is Meiji University manager/head coach (Daisuke Kurita) who advised me after the disappointment of not making it as a professional with F.Marinos, at that time, and then took care of me for four years - as a footballer and as a person - before I moved to Antlers. Then, of course there is René (Weiler, manager at Antlers, and the manager who took Tsunemoto to Servette), who listened to my dream of playing in Europe, and then helped it come true.

JS: Who would you consider to be the most difficult opponents you've faced so far in your career?

KT: So far I've played against some very talented players, but probably the hardest opponent I've faced is Kaoru Mitoma, currently at Brighton (& Hove Albion), in the Premier League. He seems to be able to do anything! This season... in the Europa League, we faced Chelsea, and Mykhailo Mudryk was a very difficult opponent. You could see the quality in all aspects of his play, from skills to speed and more. He have me a really hard time.

JSoccer: Thank you for your time, and best wishes for the rest of the season, and beyond!

Pictures Lionel Piquet for JSoccer Magazine and JSoccer.com, with permission of the Swiss League.