Jesse Lingard receives scathing reprimand from FC Seoul boss after ‘didn’t work hard’ as substitute, just three games into K-League move

Jesse Lingard received a scathing reprimand from FC Seoul manager just three matches into his move to the K-League.

Seoul collected its first three points of the new season on Friday night by beating Jeju thanks to goals from Stanislav Iljutcenko and Sung-Yueng Ki.

They had recorded a draw and a defeat in their opening two matches, failing to score a goal as the early signs of the season looked bleak for Lingard’s new side.

The former Manchester United and Nottingham Forest winger was once again used as a substitute and manager Kim Gi-dong was not impressed with his appearance against Jeju.

“Even though he came into the game, he didn’t work hard and avoided fights,” Gi-dong said.

Kim Gi-dong questioned winger’s work rate and desire despite Seoul’s win over Jeju

Your browser does not support iframes.

“The value of the name has no meaning on the ground. I’m going to tell him exactly that.

Lingard is hoping to land his first start for his new club after coming off the bench in the first three matches of the season.

It also hopes to have found a more permanent home after moving to Asia in February, and it set an attendance record during its debut.

Before the transfer, he had not played a single football match since April after leaving Nottingham Forest on a free at the end of the season.

He had been without a club since June and had not played a full 90 minutes since August 2022.

Lingard has been a substitute in all three of FC Seoul’s matches so far this new season.

Now, however, there is hope that he can finally find happiness, something the former Englishman has expressed on occasion and which he is looking for in his career.

Seoul returns to action after the international break when they travel to Gangwon.