Jeonbuk? Japan? Director Lee Jung-hyo, a hot guy who chose loyalty, will lead Gwangju in 2025
Dec 22, 2024
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Director Lee Jung-hyo was confirmed to have conveyed his intention to 'remain on the team' at a meeting with Gwangju CEO Noh Dong-il held in Gwangju at around 5 p.m. on the 22nd.
According to a soccer official, the Gwangju club accepted manager Lee's requirements on salary and player composition to some extent, allowing the negotiations to reach a conclusion. Coach Lee also rejected many rumors of a transfer and chose 'Loyalty'.
Coach Lee took the helm of Gwangju in 2022 to lead the promotion of the first division in a year, and the following year, he won a surprise third place, the club's all-time best performance in K League 1, presenting the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) ticket to the club. He earned the nickname 'K-League Mourinho' for his brilliant offensive tactics and eloquence.
In the 2024 season, although he was ninth in the league, he contributed to promoting the K-League's small and medium-sized civic club, Gwangju, to Asia by winning three consecutive Asian Champions League titles. Among Japanese J-League officials, 'Director Lee Jung-hyo' went viral. In fact, clubs that showed interest also appeared.
The league is sluggish, ACL propaganda, grass controversy, etcCoach Lee, who had a difficult season, received attention from Jeonbuk in the K League 1 and Incheon in the K League 2, which were vacant after the season. Lee, who has been to England to study soccer, has never opened his mouth publicly, but rumors have been biting his tail. There were reports that Jeonbuk had selected coach Lee, and there were also reports that it had planned a senior press conference and that it had been found somewhere in Seoul.
Lee's final choice, which was struggling with his future, was to stay in Gwangju. Although Gwangju is on the verge of cutting its budget next year due to financial problems, it is rumored that it accepted the club's offer to renew the contract with the determination to make a new round in Gwangju.
In Gwangju, major players such as Heo Yul and Lee Hee-kyun moved to other teams one after another, or Gimcheon Sangmu was confirmed to join the military. The front desk and head coach Lee will put their heads together from the 23rd to create the optimal squad under difficult conditions.
After the winter break, Gwangju will go on a winter training trip to Thailand on Jan. 3 next year with Lee Jung-hyo.
yoonjinman@sportschosun.com
