Makoto Hasebe Ends Playing Career and Focuses on Becoming Coach

The streets of Frankfurt bustle with tourists and businessmen. However, a 20-minute walk north reveals a tranquil residential area surrounded by greenery. Makoto Hasebe (40) was chosen for a quiet and relaxed café.

The renowned midfielder, who represented Japan as captain in three World Cups, continued to compete for 16 years in soccer’s home country, Germany.

From May to September, he is in a recharge period. We asked Hasebe about his current state of mind after retirement and his thoughts on his next goal of becoming a coach.

――At the retirement press conference in Tokyo, you said, “Max to the max, I did it all.”

“I have seen many players with greater abilities who couldn’t make it to the top. The reason I was able to win in Germany multiple times was because I covered it with my head and mental strength. I have no regrets as a professional. (After a long silence) I think I did well to come this far with this potential. Really.”

――Why are you starting your path as a coach in Germany?

“I played for Frankfurt for 10 years. The club itself is prestigious, but when I joined, it was in a slump. However, we won the German Cup (2018), the Europa League (2022), and participated in the Champions League (2023), and now it has become one of the top clubs in Germany. They are also focusing on development. I wanted to start with a team of this high level.”

――Will the coaching license course start this summer?

“No, the first two years will be spent building a track record as a coach for Frankfurt’s U-21 team, and then I will take the A-level course. So it’s a long road to obtaining the top qualification needed to be a professional team coach. But I don’t plan to skip any steps. I will take it step by step, just like in my playing days. Since I was a professional until I was 40, my start as a coach is honestly late. But I’m not anxious.”

――It will be a long time before we see Coach Hasebe managing a professional team.

“Yes. I was more of a player who relied on instinct, so I need to learn more about soccer.”

――Were you actually an instinctive player?

“Yes (laughs). So, I need to learn more about soccer and be able to articulate it. That is the challenge going forward. On the other hand, soccer has aspects that are not just theory and reasoning, and I need to convey the instinctive parts as well. I think that is a very difficult aspect.”

 

Allies Who Supported His Career

In his second year in Germany, in 2009, Hasebe contributed to Wolfsburg’s league victory. However, in the 2013-2014 season, his desire to move to England led to a conflict with his mentor, Coach Magath (70), and he was left out of eight consecutive matches. That bitter experience is expected to become a valuable asset in his coaching career.

“Yes. Even though I expressed my desire to transfer, I stayed with the team, so it was my responsibility, but it was really tough at that time. At that moment, I wasn’t a soccer player. It felt like I was running through a forest like a marathon runner. It was hard. Still, it was the time when I grew the most as a person compared to when we won. That experience has been extremely beneficial in my subsequent life. It’s a great asset.”

Hasebe’s life lesson of how to remain humble during the best times of life, and how to admonish oneself when winning likely comes from these experiences during his time at Wolfsburg.

――Who supported you during those hellish days?

“One of them was Zac-san (former Japan national team coach Zaccheroni, 71). Even though I wasn’t playing at the club, he always called me up for the national team and continued to use me as a starter and captain. From my experience with Zac-san, I learned that ‘by trusting the players, a coach earns the trust of the players.’ In the professional world, coaches make very tough decisions. When trust is built in that special world, stronger bonds are formed.”

――What about the presence of your ally, Eiji Kawashima (41)?

“Eiji was in a similar situation, not getting to play in Belgium. His presence was significant when I look back at my career in Europe and with the national team. We keep in touch about five times a year, and he’s someone I can call a soulmate.”

The match against Leipzig on May 18th was Hasebe’s last game. The day before, another former Japan national team player, Shinji Okazaki (38), played his final match in Belgium. The two allies will stay in Europe after retirement and pursue coaching careers together.

――Until now, no Japanese players have stayed in Europe to become coaches. I sense the emergence of a ‘new generation of coaches’ in Hasebe and Okazaki.

“I knew that Okachan was also challenging himself in Europe since we keep in touch. While we may be considered new generation coaches as Japanese, that’s not particularly important to me. My image is to continue the extension of my playing career in Germany into a coaching challenge. It’s more about trying as a soccer person rather than thinking that because we are Japanese or for Japanese soccer.”

Even without feeling pressured to contribute to Japanese soccer, it’s hoped that eventually, he will make some contribution to Japanese soccer.

“I’m very grateful for the high expectations from many people. If, after steadily accumulating experience as a coach, such opportunities arise, I would be happy. However, I won’t be overly focused on Japanese soccer from the start; right now, I’m focusing on clearing the things in front of me. Becoming a coach, that’s everything for me right now.”

 

The Anticipated Second Book

While FRIDAY has scooped stories such as dates with his wife, they have also covered his thoughts at each career milestone. When asked about his impression of the magazine, he smiled and said, “I was grateful for the long-term, regular coverage. I don’t hold any grudges.” 

――At the press conference, you mentioned, “Japanese food is better, but living in Germany is more comfortable.”

“Frankfurt has everything you need, and there are many excellent Japanese restaurants. My children attend an international school, and there are several direct flights to Japan every day. I have no complaints.”

The book “Shin o totonoeru.” (Gentosha), published in 2011, sold 1.5 million copies.

――It’s been 13 years, and you have more time now. How about a second book?

“Haha (laughs). I haven’t thought about a book at all. That book, for better or worse, changed my life. I’m grateful that so many people picked it up. I’ve been offered multiple times by German publishers to release a book in German, but I’ve declined each time. I don’t see myself as someone that important. So, I’m not considering a second book.”

The second half of his soccer career has begun. As he “aligns his heart” for a new career, the rookie coach Hasebe’s challenge continues.

◆ Makoto Hasebe / Born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1984. Appeared in 114 matches as a member of the Japan national team. As captain, he set a record with 81 appearances.

From the July 26/August 2, 2024 issue of FRIDAY