Kashima Oniki: Road to 21st Title | Sponichi Soccer

Coach Tatsu Oniki led Kashima to the J1 championship in his first year in office. This is his fifth time following his time with Kawasaki F, and he is the first manager in history to win the league title with multiple clubs. “I don’t have any thoughts about playing for multiple clubs.However, I couldn’t contribute to Kashima as a player.In that sense, I was finally able to become a member of this club.” I was immersed in joy in the center of the circle.

Keiichiro Nuno, who coached Oniki when he was at Ichifunabashi High School, says fondly, “To put it simply, he was a soccer kid.He had a high standard in soccer and had a strong core.” At that time, he was a small dribbler. He was also a player who did not hesitate to work hard on defense. As he entered his third year of high school, he began to attract the attention of scouts, and Kajima officials also commented enthusiastically, saying, “He’s an interesting player.”

In 1993, the first year of the J League, Manager Oniki joined Kashima. He watched the opening game against Nagoya from the stands, where Zico scored a hat trick, and realized that he had joined a great team. “There’s no such thing as winning if you do this, but you can’t win if you don’t do this.” That’s what I saw at Kashima.” In a total of six years up to 1999, excluding one year when he was on loan, he scored one goal in 27 league games. Due to injuries, he was unable to become a regular player. Completely transferred to Kawasaki F in 2000. He poured his passion into Kawasaki F for a long time as both a player and a coach.

However, the days spent in Kashima never faded. “If I hadn’t come here (Kashima) after graduating from high school, I might not have been able to become a manager.” Last fall, it was decided that he would leave Kawasaki F. He received a request from football director Koji Nakata to take over as manager, saying, “I want to create a new Kashima together.” “No club wants a title this much. That’s why when we win (the title), I think there will be more joy than I could have imagined.” More than anything, Director Oniki himself wanted the title at Kashima.

2017 was my first year as a director. They overcame Kashima in the final round and led Kawasaki F to their first victory. Over the next eight years, he won seven titles. On the other hand, Kashima has been without a domestic title for eight consecutive years since their humiliating defeat. The two have taken contrasting steps.

After the game, football advisor Mitsuru Suzuki’s true feelings spilled out as he was surrounded by reporters. “I was pushed into the abyss by Oniki, but I can’t believe that Oniki saved me.” A fateful coincidence brought the prestigious team their 21st title. (Hiroto Sakamoto)