Because I'm absolutely flummoxed by this whole situation, here's a thread on how Keisuke Honda's appointment as general manager is being reported in Japan:
1. Media are using the word 実質的 (jisshitsuteki, 'in essence' to describe his appointment. As in, "he is in essence their new head coach but not actually their head coach.
2. He doesn't have any coaching licenses and will officially be the team's general manager.
2. He doesn't have any coaching licenses and will officially be the team's general manager.
3. According to Honda himself, approached the Football Federation of Cambodia and asked "if it was possible be the national team manager while continuing his playing career," they said "if you're serious we'll make you an offer."
4. Honda acknowledges the unusual situation, stresses that he will be playing for Melbourne and may not be able to attend every Cambodia match but "wants to be involved as much as possible."
5. Primary goal is to establish a common style in Cambodian NT/youth/club levels.
5. Primary goal is to establish a common style in Cambodian NT/youth/club levels.
(he also throws a bit of shade? at JFA, saying 'this is difficult to do even in Japan. If everyone has different objectives you can't make a strong (national) team.")
6. Honda's second stated objective is to promote Cambodia globally.
It's worth noting that this is not his first move in the country; he owns a team there and operates several soccer schools.
It's worth noting that this is not his first move in the country; he owns a team there and operates several soccer schools.
7. The actual head coach will be Félix González (full name Félix Agustín González Dalmás), a 30-year-old Argentinian who spent several years playing for Japanese amateur sides and currently holds his home country's top coaching license.
8. It's amazing that Japanese media even bothered to report Gonzalez's name, but they are to their credit including him in most articles and in this case saying that he's "Honda's right hand man."
9. I will amend points #7 and #8 by saying that he ALLEGEDLY has this license - his only Wikipedia page is in Japanese and was last updated in May 2015. That doesn't seem legit by any stretch of the imagination.
10. Honda's title will officially be 'Head of Delegation' which would allow him to sit on the bench and give Gonzalez instructions in... his not-fantastic English... or maybe Spanish... which would then need to be translated into Khmer?
Are you still with me folks?
Are you still with me folks?
11. Nikkan published Honda's comments more or less verbatim and notes that they were provided by his management agency, Honda Estilo.
Soccer King weren't as forthcoming in their own article, which was picked up by Yahoo!News, but I imagine it was also from a press release.
Soccer King weren't as forthcoming in their own article, which was picked up by Yahoo!News, but I imagine it was also from a press release.
12. Honda says he's doing this for free, according to quotes that were provided to Football Channel. "I'm doing this because I like doing it and aside from travel expenses I won't be paid."
As @jrvkfootball might note, this is still probably considered compensation!
As @jrvkfootball might note, this is still probably considered compensation!
13. Football Channel is also hopping on Australian media reports, citing the Newcastle Herald's claim that Melbourne Victory were aware of Honda's negotiations with the FFC and support WHATEVER THIS IS.
I imagine we'll get a clarification from #MVFC in coming days.
I imagine we'll get a clarification from #MVFC in coming days.
14. Kyodo News are actually reporting Honda as a general manager and not emphasizing the coaching thing very much, which is probably a fairer read of the issue.
(also shoutout to my future employer in T-8 days)
(also shoutout to my future employer in T-8 days)
15. Allegedly, the Football Federation of Cambodia has cleared all of this with the AFC and all other relevant parties. ALLEGEDLY.
16. CONCLUSIONS:
- All Japanese reporting on this is based on press releases issued by Honda's management team.
- Currently, all English-language reporting on this is being done third-hand. This includes FFA/AFC's articles; both clearly low-effort stories by weekend shifters.
- All Japanese reporting on this is based on press releases issued by Honda's management team.
- Currently, all English-language reporting on this is being done third-hand. This includes FFA/AFC's articles; both clearly low-effort stories by weekend shifters.
17. CONCLUSIONS 2:
- My best guess is that neither @theafcdotcom nor @gomvfc quite have all the facts together but this will probably sort itself out in the next 72 hours at most. This is now a global story and any improprieties would be considerable black eye for all involved.
- My best guess is that neither @theafcdotcom nor @gomvfc quite have all the facts together but this will probably sort itself out in the next 72 hours at most. This is now a global story and any improprieties would be considerable black eye for all involved.
@theafcdotcom @gomvfc 18. CONCLUSIONS 3:
If Honda had been announced as a technical advisor for the FFC (whose website does not appear to have been updated since 2015) and goodwill ambassador for @tourismcam nobody would have blinked an eye, so why we're here is quite a mystery in need of solving.
If Honda had been announced as a technical advisor for the FFC (whose website does not appear to have been updated since 2015) and goodwill ambassador for @tourismcam nobody would have blinked an eye, so why we're here is quite a mystery in need of solving.
19. LIVE FREE OR DIE CONCLUDING:
I would not go so far as to say that Keisuke Honda or his management team are bad actors, because this is absolutely on-message. He already owns clubs in 4 countries either in full or in part. He's joined forces with Big Willie. #HondaBeingHonda
I would not go so far as to say that Keisuke Honda or his management team are bad actors, because this is absolutely on-message. He already owns clubs in 4 countries either in full or in part. He's joined forces with Big Willie. #HondaBeingHonda
20. THE CONCLUSION STRIKES BACK:
I'm less inclined to think positively of the FFC's ulterior motives in all of this, because they are still fairly well-ranked by FIFA amongst ASEAN sides (166 as of June; two behind Indonesia and ahead of Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, and Bhutan)...
I'm less inclined to think positively of the FFC's ulterior motives in all of this, because they are still fairly well-ranked by FIFA amongst ASEAN sides (166 as of June; two behind Indonesia and ahead of Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, and Bhutan)...
21. YEP STILL CONCLUDING
...but this is, excuse my French, some bush league shit that shouldn't fly from a developing program. Cambodian soccer obviously has issues with Corruption And Suchlike, but I would defer to an expert such as @Steelinho to shed more light on that.
...but this is, excuse my French, some bush league shit that shouldn't fly from a developing program. Cambodian soccer obviously has issues with Corruption And Suchlike, but I would defer to an expert such as @Steelinho to shed more light on that.
22. LAST CONCLUSION I PROMISE
This is all Very Weird, English-language media who reported on the story as they did should all be ashamed of themselves, now we should go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for @theafcdotcom & #MVFC to figure it all out.
This is all Very Weird, English-language media who reported on the story as they did should all be ashamed of themselves, now we should go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for @theafcdotcom & #MVFC to figure it all out.
23. If you're a journalist and you found this thread as you look to make sense of all this, seriously just credit me in the article or email/DM me about appearing on your podcast/radio program/TV show. I promise I'll sound eloquent and wear a shirt, at least for the last one.
24. I don't have a Soundcloud or Patreon but you could always donate to @Refugees or @unescowhc, who are actually in Cambodia making a difference (w/ refugee programs & the conservation of Angkor Wat) and will likely continue to do so long after Honda's 'contract' expires.
25. Holy goddamn it's 8PM what am I still doing writing this thread. I've got some stuff to translate and then I'm learning how to play @LeagueOfLegends, so add me on Oceania (dokool) if you want to throw down at some point in the future (HE SAYS STARTING A NEW JOB IN A WEEK)
THAT'S THE THREAD FOLKS GO HOME
