Former Premier League star Jesse Lingard (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – Former Premier League star Jesse Lingard attributes his successful adaptation to Korean football to FC Seoul manager Kim Gi-dong’s stern early-season guidance.
Speaking at a media day event at GS Champions Park in Guri on October 30, Lingard praised Kim’s deep understanding of football and his clear tactical approach to each match.
The former Manchester United attacking midfielder, who joined FC Seoul in February, initially struggled to adapt to the K-League and faced further setbacks with knee surgery early in the season. However, with support from manager Kim and his teammates, Lingard has emerged as a key offensive player for Seoul, contributing five goals and two assists this season.
Lingard recalled a pivotal moment in his K-League journey with a smile: “Getting strongly criticized by the manager after the first two matches really helped me get my head straight.”
Kim had delivered particularly pointed criticism after Seoul’s third-round match against Jeju United in March, stating, “If a player who only plays for a few minutes can’t even engage in physical battles and plays half-heartedly, performing worse than those who play full 90 minutes, I don’t consider them a real player. If we’re going to rely on reputation alone, we might as well bring in retired players.”
This sharp rebuke served as a wake-up call for Lingard, who has since fully integrated into the team, even serving as temporary captain during Ki Sung-yueng’s injury absence.
“To be honest, I came to Korea with a casual mindset,” Lingard admitted. “I was surprised by how much Korean players run and fight. The manager’s criticism helped me focus and naturally adapt to the Korean style of football.”
He praised Kim’s player management and communication skills, noting, “Looking back at my career, I’ve always performed best under managers who discussed not just football but life in general with me.”
“The manager shows clear plans for every match. I now understand the kind of football he wants, and I’m at a stage where I’m really enjoying it,” Lingard added.
With FC Seoul approaching a milestone of 500,000 home spectators this season, Lingard expressed his commitment to the team’s goal of securing an AFC Champions League Elite spot for next season.
“The journey starts with our match against Pohang Steelers on November 2. With confidence, we’ll achieve good results,” he stated.
Lingard also showed appreciation for the fans’ support: “I’ll never forget the warm welcome I received at the airport when I first arrived in Korea. We’re determined to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite for our supporters, especially those who travel to support us at away games.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
