In a recent victory against Jeju, FC Seoul’s (South Korea) head coach, Kim Gi-dong, expressed his dissatisfaction and frustration with Jesse Lingard’s performance. Lingard, the former Manchester United and West Ham player, gained his first win in the K-League with FC Seoul as they secured a 2-0 victory against Jeju, despite Lingard spending most of the match on the bench.
Coach Kim Gi-dong criticized Lingard’s effort level after he came on as a substitute in the 58th minute, marking the third consecutive match where Lingard was benched without starting. Kim stated, “Despite coming on as a substitute, he failed to demonstrate effort and shied away from challenges. His presence on the field lacked significance. I will address this with Lingard directly.”
Kim Gi-dong’s remarks underscore his commitment to prioritizing the club’s results and interests above all else. Lingard faces the possibility of continued benching and even contract termination if he fails to prove his capabilities on the field.
Before joining FC Seoul, Lingard received offers from clubs worldwide after parting ways with Nottingham Forest last summer. Despite other options, Lingard opted to join Seoul. However, after three appearances as a substitute, Lingard received two yellow cards out of three matches played for FC Seoul. Following the victory against Jeju, Lingard and his teammates will not play until after the upcoming international break.
Their next match is scheduled for March 31st against Gangwon, currently placed eighth in the league standings. This break provides an essential period for Lingard to hone his skills and return stronger when the K-League resumes.
Furthermore, Lingard was not included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for England’s upcoming matches against Brazil and Belgium in March.