The Spanish Richard Rodriguez was officially introduced as the new coach of the Urawa Net Diamonds, one of the largest clubs in Japan as it has 24 titles in its record, including an AFC Champions League, which it won in 2017. The team, which competes in the J-League (Japanese First Division), did not pass from 10th position in 2020 and he hopes that his commitment to Rodriguez's offensive football will lead him “to win the league in 2022”, as he made public in the statement with which he announced his arrival.
“We have a major challenge ahead of us that I take on with responsibility, enthusiasm and confidence. The objectives are many, but one of the most important to me is that I want to make the players grow and that people enjoy the game and the style of the game. team. Signing for a great club like Urawa Red Diamonds is a source of joy for any coach“said Ricardo Rodríguez in his presentation, who revealed in an interview with AS that he did not think twice when he received the call from the 'reds':” It is a team that I wanted to train. Another club would have generated more doubts, but when Urawa called me I felt that I had to accept to continue growing as a coach. “
Ricardo Rodríguez disembarks in the J-League after triumphing in Second at the controls of Tokushima Vortis, a team in which he signed four memorable seasons that ended up achieving promotion as champion of the J2-League. “It was very difficult to tell the sports director and the president that I was leaving. I said goodbye through tears because they put all their trust in me and that made me very happy“Rodríguez acknowledged in AS. The Spaniard, who bases his game on” offensive play, high pressure and a commitment to young players “, has established himself as one of the most recognized coaches in Japan.