It would be easy to describe 2011 as a frustrating year for the Urawa Red Diamonds, a year of disappointments and a year where we took more steps backwards rather then forward. The only good news is that we didn't get relegated, but who would have expected that at the beginning of the year. So moving forward, I guess now it's back to the drawing board?
I remember when Volke Finke was brought in a few years ago (2009), the aim back then was to implement "fascinating" football, to break down and rebuild the way the Reds play. During Finke first year, the expectation was to rebuild and develop. Naoki Yamada and Genki Haraguchi was unearthed during Finke reign and despite some several questionable decisions, Finke's 2 year run ended with high expectation for 2011, hoping that the Reds have finally turned a corner, well for this Reds' fan at least.
Zeljko Petrovic was brought in to replace Finke and despite his lack of managerial experience, big expectations were placed on the ex-Reds player. Not only did Petrovic fail to deliver but he placed the Reds in a position to be relegated. Winning the championship wasn't the expectation, but an improved finish from 2010 should have been a reasonable expectation.
On paper the Reds have a reasonably strong squad. With the likes of Naoki Yamada, Genki Haraguchi, Yosuke Kashiwagi, Matthew Spiranovic along with the additions of Marcio Richardes and Mitsuru Nagata, most would imagine this to be the foundation of a strong squad.
The only problem is that Petrovic failed to put it all together and overall, the team just didn't gel. Even though the defence was solid, the attack lacked potency. The lack of a target man upfront didn't help, especially with Edmilson leaving during the campaign, we really did lack the ability to score goals. This was reflected by the run of draws early in the season. If it wasn't for Genki's 9 goals and being our "X-Factor", things could have been really bad. Despite being the Reds top goal scorer, Genki isn't really a target-man and shouldn't really be our long term solution up front.
We thought that the endless draws were bad, but things got worst when we started losing and dropped down the ladder. The worst thing was that there was no sign of improvements and things just went from bad to worst. Petrovic had already said that he wouldn't be back next year, so there was no more point for him to stick around. The fight to avoid relegation was given to the youth team manager Takafumi Hori.
Whilst Hori steadied the ship to avoid relegation, 2012 again appears to be another rebuilding year for Urawa. Yes, first and foremost we need a new manager but I believe the rebuilding/changes has to start at the top; so it's goodbye to club chairman Mitsuo Hashimoto. Hashimoto's reign as chairman for the Reds have been full of disappointments and questionable decisions. Ever since winning the ACL, things have gone south and that blame has to fall on Hashimoto.
If Hashimoto doesn't go, it will be interesting who he appoints as the Reds' next manager. More importantly though, the biggest quesion is whether or not Hashimoto allows the new manager to have the full reign to run the team.
Akira Nishino (soon to be former Gamba Osaka manager) and Takeshi Okada (ex Japan NT coach) has been linked to the Reds', but it should be interesting to see actually ends up as the new manager. Hopefully the appointment happens sooner rather then later, which would give the manager more time to build his team.
In terms of player movements, our biggest need is a striker (target-man) upfron. There has been reports that the Reds has offered Mike Havenaar a large contract, but the chances of Havenaar signing for the Reds I would say is very slim. Havenaar has an eye to move to Europe, with some clubs already lining up for his signature. (Though I do hope I'm proven wrong and Havenaar signs with the Reds and given our #9?). Kim Jin-Hyun (Cerezo Oaska) has also been linked with the Reds, but I don't think we require another keeper. Kato has done a solid job at the back (despite his howler against Kashiwa) and Yamagishi would be a solid back-up.
It's going to be another interesting off-season for the Reds, actually for the past couple of years, the off-season has been something to look forward to for Reds fans. Lets hope 2012 will bring more joy for those in Red.
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