FC Seoul coach finds new job in China: Yonhap

By Park Sae-jin Posted : June 23, 2016, 08:27 Updated : June 23, 2016, 08:27

[Yonhap News Photo ]



Outgoing FC Seoul boss Choi Yong-soo said he decided to join the Chinese club Jiangsu Suning because he wanted a new challenge by facing top-class football coaches.

Choi will leave the five-time K League Classic champions for Jiangsu in the Chinese Super League. Before his last match as Seoul head coach Wednesday, Choi told reporters that he accepted Jiangsu's offer because he didn't want to miss another opportunity.

Last July, Choi turned down Jiangsu's lucrative offer of a reported 5 billion won (4.3 million US dollars) for two and a half years.

"I was a little baffled when I first received the offer a year ago, but now I feel more comfortable about it," he said before FC Seoul took on second-tier Ansan Mugunghwa FC in the round of 16 at the Korean Football Association (FA) Cup. "I have always thought that I should go there one day."
In turning down last year's offer, Choi said he put loyalty ahead of money. But when asked why he is leaving the club now, the 42-year-old said Seoul are a stronger team than a year ago and he thought the club could do well without him this season. He added that he also wanted to test his ability against famous coaches like Luiz Felipe Scolari and Sven Goran Eriksson in China.

Scolari, the 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning coach for Brazil, is now managing Guangzhou Evergrand and Eriksson, the Swede who previously led England national team, is currently leading Shanghai SIPG.

"Last year, Seoul were struggling near the league cellar, but this year, the team is more stabilized with competitive players," Choi said. "I thought it'd be all right to take the challenge. I want to play interesting matches with world-class football coaches there."

Choi acknowledged there are fans who criticize him for leaving the club in the middle of the season, but promised he will contribute to improving South Korean football in the future.

(Yonhap)
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