After 10 years, our nominee in the category “Coach” 2018, Gert Engels, returns to Japan. Engels signed a contract as an assistant coach at the club of Lukas Podolski, Vissel Kobe.

“I am happy to be back in Japan again and looking forward to contribute to success of Vissel Kobe” – Engels

Former Bundesliga professional Gert Engels, who played for three years in the Borussia Mönchengladbach squad, has demonstrated his great commitment to football on the Asian continent. Engels worked for almost 20 years as a coach of first division teams in Japan. He claims that Japan is his second home. His journey began at Prima Aseno FC, which later merged to form Mito HollyHock. At the same time, he works alongside as a football teacher at a Japanese school. Starting from 1993 he was responsible for the young professionals at the Yokohama Wings. Then he was assistant and later head coach of the first team of Yokohama Wings. At the end of his coaching days with the Yokohama Wings, he became cup winner in 1998. This success he could also rejoice in 2002 with the club Kyoto Sanga, which he led at the beginning of his coaching career right after relegation back to the Premier League. Since February 1, 2004 he has been co-coach of the Urawa Red Diamonds, first under Guido Buchwald and then as assistant of Holger Osieck. On March 16, 2008, he took over the post of head coach there and replaced Holger Osieck. In 2008 the chapter Japan came to an end for Engels. But he has quickly submitted his self to a new challenge. In October 2011, Engels took over from Dutchman Maart Nooij for two years the post of Mozambique coach.