We can’t change the past, but can change the future: Albirex coach on reviving fallen champs

SINGAPORE – A Herculean task is resting on his shoulders, but Albirex Niigata coach Keiji Shigetomi remains unfazed.

The 45-year-old, who

took over the reins

on July 13 after the club lost five games in a row for the first time since 2010, believes the key to lifting the fallen giants from the doldrums lies in the details.

While he made an instant impact, leading Albirex to a 7-2 thumping of Balestier Khalsa in his first match in charge on July 18, the White Swans lost 1-0 to Hougang United five days later and are now propping up the nine-team Singapore Premier League (SPL) table.

In fluent English, Shigetomi told The Straits Times: “Our players were very discouraged after being unable to win matches. The important thing is everyone stays united.

“The players, coaching staff, office staff and supporters need to work together. I told the players we cannot change the past, but we can change the future.

“I think I need to instruct more (with the local players) on the small details. Last time, I talked to my boys in Japanese but now I coach in English so we don’t have to translate.”

That is the biggest change Shigetomi has brought about. Since arriving here in 2014, the former Sanfrecce Hiroshima school coach has been taking private English lessons. Even now, he makes time for lessons at least once a week.

Since 2016, Albirex have won six out of eight league titles with a largely Japanese side. Shigetomi oversaw one successful league campaign in 2020 during a three-year stint in between the assistant coach’s role.

His predecessor Kazuaki Yoshinaga won league titles in 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2023 and was named SPL Coach of the Year in those years.

But the defending champions have fallen on hard times since becoming a local outfit with six Japanese imports this season, prompting Yoshinaga’s departure.

Shigetomi declined to comment on his role as assistant coach under Yoshinaga. The club also rejected ST’s request to speak to their players.

But Shigetomi conceded that he would need time to take the club back to their glory days, insisting that their long-term target is to qualify for the Asian Champions League.

“We cannot change things overnight. I intend to teach the boys on my philosophy which is to play attacking football. We need to clarify the concept of how we will play,” said Shigetomi, who is also coach of the Albirex boys’ under-17 team and helps women’s team player-coach Kana Kitahara occasionally.

Time is short, however. On July 27, Albirex will face an unbeaten BG Tampines Rovers side who have taken the league by storm.

Despite facing an ailing Albirex, Tampines coach Gavin Lee is not getting complacent.

“Even without their key players, Albirex beat Balestier with quite a performance as well as played a very close game against Hougang. So there is nothing opportune to think about,” he said.

“They continue to be a threat with (Shingo) Nakano in space as well as the breakaway ability that they have with that front four.”

The Stags will have an added challenge with the suspension of key central defender Milos Zlatkovic.

Lee added: “It is unfortunate that Milos is not available for us, we have enjoyed many of his performances this season. But this is a long season and we need the entire squad for this journey.

“So this is an opportunity for other members in the squad to contribute.”

DPMM v Young Lions (July 27, 6pm, Jalan Besar)

With the top four teams pulling away from the rest of the pack, both DPMM and Young Lions will be hoping to keep pace and snatch the third win of their campaigns.

Sailors v Hougang (July 28, 6pm, Bishan)

The Sailors bounced back from a 5-0 loss to Tampines with a 6-0 thumping of Young Lions. The resurgent Cheetahs have just secured their first win of the season by beating Albirex.

Geylang v Balestier (July 28, 6pm, Jalan Besar)

Both teams have surpassed expectations and are in superb form.

The Eagles, still unbeaten, are three points ahead of the fourth-placed Tigers and can tighten their grip on third spot with another victory.