In a phone call from director Lee Jung-hyo, Joo Se-jong gave up his high salary and headed to Gwangju. ··"Getting a coach is an opportunity that money cannot buy."
In a phone call from director Lee Jung-hyo, Joo Se-jong gave up his high salary and headed to Gwangju. ··"Getting a coach is an opportunity that money cannot buy."
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Joo Se-jong (34, Gwangju FC) made his professional debut at Busan I'Park in the 2012 season and went through FC Seoul, Asan Mugunghwa FC (military service), Gamba Osaka (Japan), and Daejeon Hana Citizen in turn.
Ju Se-jong agonized over and over again after the 2024 season. Ju Se-jong recognized other teams when he failed to renew his contract with Daejeon. According to the soccer community, there were several teams that wanted Ju Se-jong. There were also teams that wanted Ju Se-jong abroad.
Joo chose Gwangju. Joo said, "It's because of Lee Jung-hyo."
"MK Sports" met Ju Se-jong at Gwangju Football Stadium on March 11, a day before the second leg (home) of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) round of 16 against Vissel Kobe.
Q. Finished final training ahead of the second leg of the ACLE Round of 16.
Manager Lee Jung-hyo kept saying to the players, "I don't care if it's a strong team or a weak team. The important thing is that we lost to Kobe for two consecutive games. Let's get revenge this time. Let's go further and create a situation where we can reach the quarterfinals." All the players nodded. We will do our best.
Q. Ju Se-jong has experience in various international stages, including the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He lost the first round of the round of 16. Did you tell your juniors anything before the second round of the round of 16 teams.
To be honest, I didn't emphasize anything. It's a game that we have to win. To play "live and die in the stadium" is a basic rule for professional players. For the fans who came to the stadium and those who support us through broadcasting, of course, we have to put everything into it. It's not that we didn't talk about it with the players.
Q. What did you talk about.
Gwangju is an attractive soccer team. The important thing in Gwangju is how to play what we prepared at the training ground on the field. Even after the final training with the players, we talked about how we can beat the opponent with our soccer. I will try to play soccer unique to Gwangju.
Q. A lot of fans are waiting for 'Joo Se-jong playing full time'.
His physical condition is improving fast (laughs). I think he has reached about 80 percent. Manager Lee Jung-hyo said, "Let's boost our physical condition by gradually increasing the playing time." I also agreed. I am speeding up my physical condition by talking with the manager.
Q. How is life in Gwangju.
Very good. It's an environment where you can focus entirely on soccer. It's been several years since I've encountered such an environment. I'm looking forward to it being a turning point in my soccer life. I think it will be a good experience. If there's one thing I'm sad about, I'm living alone in Gwangju. I can't do anything about what my family wants to see every day (laughs).
Q. Will the family come down later.
I think it will be difficult to live together in Gwangju because there are daycare centers and academies where children go. My wife said to me, "Please focus more on soccer and make time for both individuals and teams to improve." Thank you. I am focusing more on soccer because of her consideration.
Q. You were really loved in Daejeon. It took some time to choose Gwangju after leaving Daejeon. You must have had a lot of worries. 안전놀이터
If you talk about things that are not known to the outside through the media, honestly, you have to look at the conditions. Professional players are valued by their annual salary. Some teams offered salaries many times higher than those in Gwangju. Not only at home but also abroad. That's why it took me time to choose.