Jesse Lingard opens up on reasons behind career break before FC Seoul move

Former Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard has opened up on his final days in English football and his struggles before joining FC Seoul earlier this year.

The 31 year old was heavily criticised for turning down a huge number of lucrative offers from British and European sides in 2023 and spending months without a club before controversially ending up in South Korea.

The Englishman made a poor start to life in the Asian country and even got in trouble with the law over a scooter incident. But things have turned around recently as he was made captain of the team and started scoring some goals.

Writing in The Times, the former United man claimed that he “loved” Nottingham Forest but that he could not make many appearances for the club due to their Financial Fair Play issues, as he was on a contract that was tied to playing bonuses and also suffering from tendinitis in his knees and achilles.

“The issues affected my decelerations — when maybe you sprint past an opponent, or into space, and then stop and turn — which is a big part of my game” and the only cure was rest.

Lingard also claimed that the loss of his grandmother and the effect that this had on his grandfather was an extremely difficult challenge to handle off the pitch.

“Grandad took it really hard. He was depressed and suffering dizzy spells and was hospitalised himself. He needed looking after too, and there was the funeral to organise and a speech to give.

“I believe things happen for a reason and that, while my family was suffering, it was just written for me to take a break from playing.”

Speaking on his decision to move to Seoul he asserted, “when looking for my next club it felt important to go somewhere I was loved and appreciated and, after I returned to Manchester, FC Seoul sent two of their main people all the way there just to watch me train and play in a five-a-side game.”

The United academy product once again defended his decision to move to South Korea and claimed the idea “grabbed him” as he wanted to experience a new “environment and culture”.

The England international described life in Korea as “fantastic” and he has been able to experience the local food and explore the world-famous city.

Whilst having a “different vibe” to English football, he has been impressed by the fans and players and claims that there is “so much respect towards the older players from the younger ones.”

Lingard sees it as his responsibility to pass on wisdom like Wayne Rooney did for him while at United.

“I’m close to a few of the youngsters and try to set examples, things like doing extras in the gym or on the grass after training. I remember how Wayne Rooney was with me when I was a youngster. My first Champions League game, it was -5C and I tried wearing gloves. ‘No,’ Wayne said. ‘We’re Manchester United’.”

The Warrington born player signed off by defending players like himself and Paul Pogba, who he believes people misunderstand due to their “happy-go-lucky, good energy, good vibes” and don’t appreciate how committed to football they really are as they only focus on this side of their characters.

Lingard will hope to build on a positive start to life in Korea on the pitch when his FC Seoul side take on Gangwon this Sunday in the beginning of the K-League playoffs.

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