Mitchell Langerak has many connection with Japan before joining to Nagoya Grampus.

  • text by Yoichi Igawa
  • photo by Manabu Takahashi

Mitchell Langerak interview■Part 2■

Although Mitchell Langerak revealed that he was, "not chasing the opportunity to come to Japan" in the first part of this interview, he has many connections with the country ─ and they are rather strong.

Langerak played for Borussia Dortmund for five years from 2010, where he met Shinji Kagawa, and after that he also played alongside Hajime Hosogai and Takuma Asano at VfB Stuttgart. The clubs arranged the players closely in the dressing room, possibly due to their common Asia-Pacific origins.

"It's actually funny because I sat next to Shinji at Dortmund for three or four years, and then I went to Stuttgart and it was Haji and Taku next to me as well in the dressing room. They are really good guys and friends of mine, and we all get along well. They were among the first people to congratulate me by sending messages when I moved to Nagoya. My impression was that if all Japanese are similar to those guys, I would have no problem in Japan."

Langerak owes his great progress to Ange Postecoglou, the manager of Yokohama F. Marions, the current champions of the J.League (they were on the verge of winning the league at the time of this interview). The Australian tactician was the first coach to call Langerak up for the national team.

"He selected me for the Under-20 Australia national team, and when he became the national team coach I was there as well. So I've played four or five years under him, and we still have a good relationship."

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