NEWS

The Japan Football Association on Friday concluded an agreement with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in an attempt to improve the development of youth coaches with the support of the Spaniards, who are recognized leaders in this area.

Three RFEF technical experts will conduct a week of research in Japan from Monday, and the outcome of this research is expected to serve as the basis for the introduction of a new education system for Japan’s youth coaches.
At a news conference in Tokyo attended by RFEF President Angel Maria Villar Llona, JFA President Motoaki Inukai said, “We would like to express our deep gratitude to President Villar and the RFEF. Without his warm appreciation of Japanese football, we would not have been able to set this project in motion.”
“We would like to learn from Spain – who are leading the world of football – and establish a world-standard youth development system in Japan and produce as many talented players as possible.”
The JFA President continued, “We are aiming to win the World Cup by 2050, which has been stated in our ‘JFA Declaration 2005.’ To make that dream come true, we need to establish a world-standard system, with the development of players as its foundation. For that, the role of our coaches is enormously significant.”
“We will try our hardest with this project and hope it will not only develop Japanese football, but also sports in general in Japan.”
Villar commented, “It is an honor for us to receive a request for cooperation from the JFA. Spain is a leading football country and we have considerable knowledge in the area of youth development, producing good results in international competitions. We would like to convey all we know to the JFA.”
“There should be something you can learn from another country, and we are hoping we can find something new in Japan that we can use in our country. I am sure we can establish a good relationship between the two associations.”
The two associations also agreed to play a friendly match in the season after this year’s World Cup.