SAITAMA — Urawa Reds manager Gert Engels has urged the club to make a decision on his future after an apparent pretender to his throne watched his side's 2-1 defeat to Shimizu S-Pulse on Sunday.

Former Freiburg manager Volker Finke was at Saitama Stadium after weeks of speculation that Engels would be sacked, despite Urawa starting the day just one point off the top of the J. League table.

But Engels, who has one year remaining on his current contract, insisted he had not been informed of any imminent sacking, and hit out at the club's hierarchy for making moves behind his back.