My adventure in Japan
Arrival in a New Land
Japan - a land of contrasts and fascinating opposites. Here, I not only began my career as a trainer, but also rediscovered myself, discovered my passion for local cuisine, and fell in love with the culture. I call Japan my home, even though I don't currently live there anymore.
In 1993, at the age of 33, I decided to move to Japan. My former teammate Yasuhiko Okudera spoke so highly of the country that it ignited my desire to travel.
Arriving in the new land was a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. I knew nothing about this country. Japanese culture and way of life were foreign to me. To my surprise, however, many people there knew me. Thus, I was warmly welcomed. I quickly found my place in the community. The politeness and respect that play a significant role in Japan helped me to settle in and feel comfortable.
Memories of My Time as a Coach
In 1997, I obtained my Japanese football coaching license. With this, I could now train teams from the Japanese J-League. The foundation for my coaching career was laid. As a coach in Japan, I faced several challenges that tested my ingenuity and skills. One of the biggest challenges was the language barrier, as my Japanese was not very advanced at the beginning of my time in Japan. This made communication with the players and coaching staff difficult, but I quickly learned to make myself understood through gestures, drawings, and exercises.
Another obstacle was the cultural gap between my European background and Japanese football culture. I had to adapt and adapt my training methods to the needs and expectations of the players. This required flexibility and openness to new approaches, which ultimately became an enriching experience.
However, I held this time firmly in my football heart. Because of the respect of the Japanese players, I was able to be more myself on the field than ever before. I dared to do things that I hadn't dared to do before. This particularly showed me how important new experiences are for self-discovery.
Sights and cultural highlights
Japan is rich in fascinating sights and cultural highlights that deeply inspired me during my time there. One of the most impressive experiences was visiting the Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, known for its stunning wooden structure and magnificent views of the city. The temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a symbol of Japan's rich spiritual tradition and immediately captivated me.
Another unforgettable one Experience was a trip to Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, famous for its thousands of red torii gates that stretch across a scenic mountain path. The shrine is an important place in Shintoism and not only offers an impressive backdrop, but also the opportunity to experience the spiritual atmosphere of Japan up close.
My highlight, however, is the beach near Yokohama. It is called “umi no koen”, which means “park by the sea”. Especially in the morning, when the anglers start their work, the sunrise offers a wonderfully magical atmosphere that gave me an incredible sense of balance like nothing else.
Japan is a beautiful country whose people we can all learn something from. My adventures there made me who I am today.