 |
| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
|
 |
| A messenger conversation between Lee Kang-hyun and director Lee Jung-hyo. Source = Lee Kang-hyun Blog Capture |
|
 |
| A messenger conversation between Lee Kang-hyun and director Lee Jung-hyo. Source = Lee Kang-hyun Blog Capture |
|
'K-Mourinho' Gwangju coach Lee Jung-hyo quickly shook off the crushing defeat at the Al Hilal match and got back on his feet.
Gwangju midfielder Lee Kang-hyun revealed his recent conversation with coach Lee on his personal blog on the 28th. Lee Kang-hyun has been delivering daily life in a diary format and reviewing soccer games since last year. He also often reveals his views on soccer.
Lee Kang-hyun, who wrote in the 2024-2025 Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) quarterfinals against Al Hilal in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the 26th, released a text message to coach Lee on his blog as soon as he returned home. Gwangju failed to advance to the semifinals by losing 0-7 in the match against Al Hilal, showing a wide gap in tactics and individual skills.
 |
| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
|
Lee Kang-hyun said, "On my way down to Gwangju on KTX, I woke up (from my sleep) with the Kakao Talk notification continuously ringing. The director sent me a Kakao Talk message. After coming back from Saudi, you took a break and now you seemed to have a laptop. I constantly send several videos and feedback. That means I have a lot to say, and I want you to understand it clearly. I was writing on Kakaotalk, and I thought I couldn't, so I called right away."
In a chat room to Lee Kang-hyun, director Lee wrote, "(Hubang) Neves, (Juang) Cancelo, and (Sergei Milinkovic) Savic try to make the best choice without setting an answer if we pass."
Then share a capture photo of the Gwangju-Al Hilal match and take a look at where Neves is looking after taking the ball away. Even in that brief moment, I look forward and try to connect. Decide after looking at the best option without setting a decision. Look at Cancelo, too. And I'm trying to connect exactly. If the ground doesn't work, even if it's floating like this (charged). The basics are basic. Kanghyun decided and passed. - I think Savic is 'Connect to that side. Pass it to where we know it. It's like this.
 |
| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
|
Director Lee, who was sending messages without stopping, said, `Let's talk on the phone, whether he thought the message was not fully delivered through messenger or if his finger hurt. It seems that he wrote, 'This needs an explanation.' and immediately called.
Lee Kang-hyun "I felt dizzy today after hearing the director's feedback. The director 'Kang Hyun, I knew the difference between us and them (Al Hilal). Kanghyun, you made the best choice. I did my best to go to a large space, and well done. But look at Neves and Cancelo. Even when I was under pressure and took it away, I made the 'best choice'. This is the difference between us and Al Hilal. When I heard that, I couldn't answer for about 30 seconds. I've watched a lot of video clips of the game, but they reminded me of something so important that I didn't even think of it. He told me the difference that I couldn't solve."
Lee Kang-hyun said "Lee Jung-hyo seems to be a great person, not because he is our team manager. If you lack something, you put it down, accept what you want to accept, and learn what you want to learn. It will be difficult to lower your posture and learn from the position of a director. The players are forced to follow as they show their efforts with passion for leading by example. Thanks to the coach's passion, our players grow, and Gwangju grows. The director always says that he grows because of us. Director Lee Jung-hyo is a true leader and teacher. And this is the system and pride of Gwangju."
Director Lee also shared the meanings of 'Best' and 'Best'. I can feel Lee Kang-hyun's desire to become a midfielder who makes the 'best choice' in the wake of the match against Al Hilal. Wouldn't Lee have sent a message to each of the players who participated in the game?
 |
| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
|
Meanwhile, Lee Kang-hyun said of the match against Al Hilal, `The other players are high, but Savic was phenomenal. The quality of the basics was high. At first glance, it looks loose and floundering, but that was not the case. Wherever the ball is, keep checking the surroundings. Since the play is already drawn in my head, my body relaxes and plays soccer easily 'tuk tuk tuk". He was a typical soccer warrior with a fast pace of thought. I learned and felt that there is a quality difference in the basics as well."
Lee said, "I felt very nervous from the process of entering the stadium, and my pride was greatly hurt by allowing seven goals, and I also had a 'real hit' at every moment during the game. I have no regrets because I did my best. I bumped into such high-quality players, took the ball out, and took it away. He scored seven goals, but every moment was fun. I was grateful that I was given time to grow myself further. As the director said, don't be discouraged and grow up properly"
After a short break, Gwangju began preparing for an away game in the 11th round of the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' against Ulsan, which will be held at Ulsan Munsu Stadium on the 2nd of next month. Gwangju ranked fifth with four wins, four draws, two losses and 16 points in 10 games.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
