“If I had met a coach like this earlier, I might have had a different football life”

Beñat’s key role in Yōichirō Kakitani’s resurgence

 

Yōichirō Kakitani, regarded as one of the most naturally gifted Japanese footballers of his generation, recently opened up about his experience at Tokushima Vortis and the unexpected impact of working with coach Beñat Labaien.

In a candid reflection, Kakitani highlighted how the Spanish coach has influenced not only his personal performance but also the team’s overall mentality:

"I’ve worked with tactical masters like Urs Fischer, now at Union Berlin, back when I was at Basel, and Miguel Ángel Lotina at Cerezo Osaka. But this coach is a bit different. He gives very detailed instructions about positioning. To make sure Kaito and I function well as a front duo, he gives specific directions to midfielders Taro, Nishino, and Gen regarding spacing and positioning. He’s always encouraging them to build strong on-field relationships,” the forward explained.

At 37 years old, with a long career both in Japan and abroad, Kakitani admits to being surprised by Beñat’s tactical level. At just 35, the young coach has managed to implement a clear structure and foster a positive culture within the team.

“Sometimes I feel that if I had met a coach like this earlier in my career, I might have had a different football life,” he confessed.

A powerful statement from a player who has experienced various footballing environments. For Kakitani, Beñat Labaien is not just another coach—he’s a turning point.

 

Source: Soccer Digest