J1 League side Urawa Reds are moving to appoint Kyoto Sanga’s manager, Cho Kwi-jae (57), as their new head coach for the upcoming season, sources revealed on May 12. The club parted ways with manager Maciej Skorża (54) midway through this season, and under interim manager Tatsuya Tanaka (43), the team is currently on a four-game winning streak. However, with the league transitioning to an autumn-spring schedule for the 2026–27 season, Urawa has set its sights on Cho, who boasts substantial experience in the J.League and a proven track record.
Since winning the league title in 2006, Urawa has struggled to capture the J1 championship. This season, Skorża aimed to implement an aggressive pressing style with attacking football, but results fell short, leading to a downturn. When the club dismissed Skorża mid-season, President Makoto Taguchi expressed concerns about discipline both on and off the pitch, stating, “We need a bit more strictness.” He indicated that the club would search for a coach with J.League experience, whether domestic or international.
Cho, who played two seasons for Urawa as a player, is known for building teams that are aggressive in both attack and defense, emphasizing relentless running and fighting spirit. During his tenure at Shonan Bellmare, he received a one-year suspension of his S-class coaching license from the Japan Football Association in 2019 over a power harassment issue. However, he made a comeback in his hometown of Kyoto, guiding the club from prolonged J2 struggles to J1 promotion, and last season achieved a club-record third-place finish, demonstrating his managerial prowess.
Interim manager Tatsuya Tanaka is set to take over as head coach of Urawa’s U-21 team next season. Despite boasting one of the league’s most passionate fan bases, Urawa has endured a prolonged slump. The appointment of Cho, known for his burning passion for football, aims to turn the team’s fortunes around.
