Japan midfielder ‘shocked’ by former coach’s public criticism

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WANJU, South Korea, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) — Responding to his former coach’s criticism of his offseason decision, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ Japanese midfielder Jun Amano on Thursday said he was “shocked and disappointed by such a public outburst.

Amano spoke to reporters during Jeonbuk’s offseason media day at their club in Wanju, about 190 kilometers south of Seoul, 24 hours after Ulsan Hyundai FC head coach, Hong Myung-bo blasted the player for lying about his true intentions.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder Jun Amano speaks during a press conference at the team’s clubhouse in Wanju, 190 kilometers south of Seoul, on January 12, 2023. (Yonhap)

Hong claimed that Amano initially said the money was unimportant, but then left for more money offered by Jeonbuk, and even called Amano “the worst Japanese player I have ever seen” for being so dishonest.

Amano, who joined Ulsan on loan from Yokohama F. Marinos in 2022, scored nine goals in 30 appearances to help Ulsan win their first K League 1 title since 2005.

Amano then moved to Jeonbuk, again on loan from Yokohama, last week, joining Ulsan’s most hated rival.

Amano attempted to take the high road on Thursday, saying, “I always respect Coach Hong. He was the one who brought me to the K League, and we won the championship together.”

“However, I was shocked that he said those words in the media, and I was disappointed,” Amano added. “He said I was a liar and chose money over other considerations. But that’s absolutely not true.”

Amano said his wife also found Hong’s reaction “regrettable” and added, “I told him several times last season that Coach Hong took really good care of me.”

Amano explained that he first told Ulsan management last summer that he wanted to stay put, and he spoke with Hong and his Japanese assistant coach, Seigo Ikeda, about the possibility.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder Jun Amano poses in front of the team’s logo after signing with the K League 1 club on January 5, 2023, in this photo provided by Jeonbuk. (PICTURE NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

But Amano said Ulsan didn’t make a formal offer until mid-November, by which time his mind was already on Jeonbuk.

“Ulsan never scheduled a formal meeting to talk about the deal. And I thought they weren’t interested in keeping me in the fold,” Amano said. “I really told Coach Hong that I wanted to stay at Ulsan. But the team didn’t ask to meet me until a day after Jeonbuk made me a formal offer.”

Amano said he was taken aback by how Hong and the front office didn’t seem to be on the same page. He also said that Jeonbuk has already completed talks with Yokohama regarding his loan before the end of the 2022 season.

If Amano had chosen another club, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. He now plays for the team that destroyed Ulsan’s title dreams for three consecutive years, from 2019 to 2021, and threatened to do so again in 2022.

“I made this decision knowing fully the implication and the meaning of it all,” he said. “I’m ready to face Ulsan this year. Hopefully I can have good and fair battles against Coach Hong on the pitch.”

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder Jun Amano speaks during a press conference at the team’s clubhouse in Wanju, 190 kilometers south of Seoul, on January 12, 2023. (Yonhap)

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