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MY BEACH SOCCER 
The experienced Brazilian coach is now looking for a new venture after three successful years in charge of the Japanese National Team
After three successful years as Japanese National Beach Soccer Coach, Marcelo Mendes is about to become one of the most attractive free agents in the Beach Soccer world. Mendes concludes his contract with the JFA in August, and is ready to look for a new beach soccer challenge.
“These three years in Japan have been wonderful, both professionally and personally, but it is the time to look for a new direction.” Only time will tell which is his destination, but what the coach knows is that “I want to be enrolled in a competitive side, always willing to win, and, also, in a project that allows me to work a lot on development, on growing new talent, on making beach soccer stronger”.
The first thing Mendes mentions when looking back to these three years is gratitude: “I am very thankful to the Japan Football Association, its presidents Daini San and Tashima San, for the confidence, trust and support they have always shown, and for having played such a relevant part in my career. And I want also to thank the players, gfor their devotion, their passion and their professionalism”.
He is also certain that he, his work and his experience have played a key part in the development of the sport in the country: “We have worked a lot, and we have seen the team grow in these three years. Not only because of the successes, but also because the ambition and mentality they have shown. The players have always been very disciplined, passionate about their job, and that has made things very satisfying”.
“A part from that”, Medes recalls, “we have had the chance to further develop the game, with a thorough grassroots program, clinics all over the country, the National Championship… A lot of effort has been put on place”.
Besides beach soccer, the time in Japan has become a great experience for him and his family “It has been a very enriching experience. The culture in Japan is so rich, and getting to live here during these three years has become a very positive thing for my family, specially for my two daughters”.
He knows that he will miss a lot of things: “the players, the way people behave in the street, the order and organization everywhere, the professionalism of the people… and sushi!”, he lists, but, at the same time, Marcelo Mendes is looking ahead to keep collecting silverware and honours in beach soccer. Good luck, Marcelo!
