Champions Seoul face contract test
Sports Donga noted that FC Seoul, K League 1 champions for the first time in 10 years, must first sort out contracts for the key figures behind the title if they want to stay competitive next season. Manager Kim Gi-dong, whose three-year term ends this year, has been linked with Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua and Guangzhou Power, who have secured promotion from the second tier. After the title, Kim responded positively to an extension, saying, “We’ve set the framework, and every moment with the team is truly happy,” but he has yet to sign. Striker Klimala, who led the title race with 16 goals and one assist, will have only six months left on his contract after the season. Center-back Yazan has a relatively low buyout clause, while his partner Ross is drawing interest from J.League and Chinese clubs. Midfielder Lee Seung-mo’s contract also expires this year.
Source: Sports Donga
Bucheon’s Lee: “Top-flight gap was big”
Bucheon FC manager Lee Young-min, in his first K League 1 season since promotion, opened up about the gap between the first and second tiers. Speaking to Sports Donga by phone on October 29, he said, “I had judged that K League 1 players were better in individual technique, one-on-one duels and tactical execution. Actually competing this year, the gap was bigger than I thought.” Bucheon sit 11th with 7 wins, 11 draws and 15 losses (32 points) after 33 rounds, but four more points from the remaining five games would keep them clear of last-placed Gwangju FC (21 points) and secure survival. “Our wing-backs were good defensively and in work rate, but we couldn’t overpower opponents in attack,” Lee said. “We’ll secure survival as soon as possible, and then build the momentum for Bucheon to last in K League 1.”
Source: Sports Donga