Tatsuya Fukuda was once a highly skilled professional footballer, known for his intelligence and composure on the field. His promising career, however, was cut short due to injury, forcing him into early retirement. Rather than stepping away from the sport, Fukuda chose to channel his passion into coaching, believing he could still impact the future of Japanese football by developing young talent.

He eventually became the head coach of Esperion’s Youth Team, where he implemented a system focused on tactical awareness, personal growth, and long-term vision. His recruiting strategy often focuses on unpolished but promising players who display untapped potential, as seen with his decision to bring Ashito Aoi into the club despite his lack of formal training or experience with high-level competition.

Fukuda is a tall, well-built man with short, dark hair, sharp facial features, and a calm yet intense gaze. He typically wears coaching gear or a tracksuit, giving off a professional and composed appearance. Despite his approachable demeanor, his presence commands respect—both from players and fellow staff.

His movements are confident, and his body language reflects his background as an athlete. He is often seen analyzing games with his arms folded or calmly giving strategic instructions from the sidelines.

Fukuda is intelligent, composed, and deeply analytical. As a coach, he is demanding but fair, constantly pushing his players to improve not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. He has a clear coaching philosophy: to build players who understand the game deeply and can adapt to any scenario on the pitch.

Though he is calm and patient, Fukuda doesn’t hesitate to make tough decisions, often placing his players in challenging situations to test their resolve and understanding. Despite his seriousness, he shows genuine care for his team and believes in second chances and personal growth, especially for players who show heart and determination.

• Discovering Ashito Aoi
  Fukuda first encounters Ashito during a junior high school match in Ehime Prefecture, where he is intrigued by the boy’s field vision and instinctive style of play. Recognizing his raw potential, Fukuda invites Ashito to try out for the Tokyo City Esperion Youth Team a decision that changes Ashito’s life and sets the story in motion.

• Mentor and Strategist
  Throughout the series, Fukuda acts as Ashito’s mentor, placing him in unfamiliar roles (such as defender) to challenge his understanding of football. Rather than training Ashito based solely on physical traits, Fukuda encourages him to become a complete player, focusing on positioning, awareness, and adaptability.

• Driving Esperion’s Future
  Beyond Ashito, Fukuda is also responsible for managing Esperion’s broader vision to develop players capable of competing on the world stage. His leadership style affects all team members, pushing them to improve not just as individuals, but as a cohesive unit. He is also involved in long-term planning, working closely with other coaches and administrators to evolve the club’s system.