Lee Chun-soo may return to K League
Former Korea international Lee Chun-soo apologizes to fans at Gwangyang Football Stadium in South Jeolla Province, in this Oct. 21 2012 file photo. / Korea Times file
By Jung Min-ho
Lee Chun-soo could return to the K League with Incheon United interested in the fallen star.
The Chunnam Dragons are asking their staff and local fans as to whether to ask the league to lift the forward’s indefinite domestic ban, a public relations official for the team said Wednesday. While the K League will make the final decision, as Chunnam asked for the ban, they would need to withdraw their previous objection for Lee to be granted permission to play here again.
Lee, 31, was suspended following a request by the Dragons while on loan from Dutch side Feyenoord in 2009 after clashing with the coaching staff and refusing to train with the reserves. He was then kicked out of the league as it was claimed he hid a clause in his contract with Feyenoord that allowed the player to move to another team if it offered him more money.
“We are looking at how his attitude has changed since he abruptly left the club. We will ask what people think of bringing him back,” said the official who refused to be named. “His public apology at the Gwangyang Football Stadium has been factored into our decision.”
The team will look at how sincere Lee’s apology is and may give him another chance to play in the league, the official noted. The Dragons’ change of stance came on the heels of the club’s parent company POSCO’s instruction.
Incheon Mayor Song Young-gil is trying hard to work the situation out, according to an Ilgan Sports report on Wednesday.
There is mounting speculation that Lee will sign with Incheon United FC if he is allowed to play, a team official said as they are interested in the Incheon-born player, though no official approach has been made.
“He recently visited the team,” said Kim Dong-chan, assistant director of public relations. “As long as all the contract conditions are met, the team is open to the move.”
The maverick member of the 2002 World Cup side that reached the semifinals has been embroiled in arguments with coaching staff wherever he has played. Despite being a talented footballer, he has been unable to control his temper.
Feyenoord loaned Lee to the Suwon Bluewings on a one-year deal in 2008 but he clashed with the coaching staff there. This led Bluewings to request the sport’s local governing body suspend the forward from the league.
Former Dragons manager Park Hang-seo gave Lee another chance after convincing Suwon officials to remove his name from the suspended players’ list. But in 2009, Lee left the K League for a more lucrative deal with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nasr amid discord with the Chunnam coaching staff.
Lee’s departure before the end of the agreed period angered the Dragons and left many fans disappointed with his behavior.
After unsuccessful spells in the Middle East and with Japan’s Omiya Ardija during the 2010/2011 season, Lee is now back in Korea asking for forgiveness from the Dragons to try and resurrect his career.