“It’s the worst Japanese I’ve ever met.” Ulsan Hyundai coach Hong Myung-bo strongly criticized Amano Jun, who moved to ‘rival’ Jeonbuk Hyundai. However, Amano refuted that it was not true.
The Korea Professional Football Federation and Jeonbuk Hyundai held the 2023 K-League winter field training media camp at the Jeonbuk Hyundai Clubhouse located in Bongdong-eup, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do on the 12th.
Jun Amano, who attended the event, said, “I think Jeonbuk is a big club starting with the clubhouse. Fighting in the same league, I felt that Jeonbuk was strong, and I am happy to be a part of this team.”
Amano Jun left Yokohama Marinos last season and moved to Ulsan Hyundai on loan. In the trust of manager Hong Myung-bo, a legend of the Japanese J-League, he played an active role as Ulsan’s main midfielder, and led Ulsan to the championship by scoring 9 goals and 1 assist in 30 league games.
However, ahead of this season, he transferred to Jeonbuk. He left for Jeonbuk, Ulsan’s championship rival, so Ulsan fans were in great shock. Coach Hong Myung-bo also said, “I left the team because of money, and I didn’t respect the team. It’s the worst Japanese I’ve ever met.”
Regarding this, Amano said, “I respected director Hong Myung-bo, and I was grateful that he brought me to Korea. Last season, we fought together for the championship in Ulsan. However, I saw the article yesterday, and it is regrettable that such a statement was made through the media.”
Amano continued, “Director Hong Myung-bo is a liar. He said he went for money, but it’s not true. I have been negotiating with Ulsan about renewing my contract since last summer, but there has been no official offer. It was true that he told the coach that he would stay in Ulsan. Looking at the timing, the day after the official offer came from Jeonbuk, I had a meeting with Ulsan coach Hong Myung-bo. At that time, my heart was already leaning toward Jeonbuk.”
– Impressions of transfer to Jeonbuk
From the club house, I think it is a big club. Fighting in the same league, I felt that Jeonbuk was strong, and I am happy to be a part of this team.
-Director Hong Myung-bo’s strong criticism
I respected director Hong Myung-bo, and I was grateful that he brought me to Korea. Last season, we fought together for the championship in Ulsan. However, I saw the article yesterday, and it is regrettable that such a statement was made through the media.
– Reason for moving to Jeonbuk
Director Hong Myung-bo is a liar. He said he went for money, but it’s not true. I have been negotiating with Ulsan about renewing my contract since last summer, but there was no official offer until November. It was true that he told the coach that he would stay in Ulsan. Looking at the timing, the day after the official offer came from Jeonbuk, I had a meeting with Ulsan coach Hong Myung-bo. At that time, my mind was already leaning toward Jeonbuk.
-What do you talk about after meeting with director Hong Myung-bo?
There was no special place after the meeting. We continued to talk about the contract with Jeonbuk. He felt the enthusiasm of coach Kim Sang-shik and the coaching staff. Before the season ended, Jeonbuk had already negotiated a loan transfer with Yokohama. It is also a challenge for me to see what kind of image I can show in a big club.
-Didn’t there be an offer from Ulsan to renew the contract?
He has always expressed his desire to stay in Ulsan. He had manager Hong Myung-bo and coach Seigo Ikeda, so he communicated his intention to renew the contract through his agent. However, he did not receive a formal offer from the club, and he did not receive any offers. He thought he had no intention of renewing his contract.
-What was your wife’s reaction to the interview with director Hong Myung-bo?
My wife hadn’t seen the article, but I told her the story while talking on the phone last night. Her wife also expressed her regrets. She was more sorry because last year she was in Ulsan and she was well taken care of by director Hong Myung-bo.
-Determination to face off against Ulsan
Jeong Seung-hyun joked to be careful in Japanese. As he decided to move, he knew the importance of this decision. I am determined and ready to face Ulsan.
– Who is the best director in Korea?
The only director I worked with was Hong Myung-bo. This year, I will be with director Kim Sang-shik. Yesterday, coach Hong Myung-bo criticized me, but I respect him. They brought me to Korea, and they also won the championship. Thank you, 바카라.and I personally consider it a gift.
– Recruitment of Esako from Ulsan
They have different playstyles and characteristics. But I think he is a good player. It’s good that good Japanese players are coming to the K-League, and I’m happy.
-Differences between Korean and Japanese soccer in the World Cup
This is the hard part. The Korean national team’s style itself is a soccer style that dominates the game and owns the ball against any opponent. If you keep your style, you will get better results. In the case of Japan, I think we played differently from Japan’s style after meeting Germany and Spain in the group stage.
-Lastly, a word to director Hong Myung-bo
difficult. I’ve said coach Hong Myung-bo several times, but I’m grateful for bringing me to the K-League, and I think of him as a comrade who fought together to win the title. He considers it a gift. But what I said to the media yesterday was shocking and disappointing. This year, we are competing for the championship, and we will work hard to win the K-League and Asian Champions League with coach Kim Sang-sik and other great players. It is true that problems have occurred, so I will prove it with the results in Jeonbuk this year. I will try my best to get good grades.