'Fame doesn't win football games' - Lingard SLAMMED by FC Seoul manager

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 17 Mar 2024 10:29 CDT
• 3 min read

Former Manchester United and England midfielder Jesse Lingard has been slammed by FC Seoul manager Kim Gi-dong after just three appearances for the club.

The 31-year-old joined FC Seoul on 8 February following a seven-month spell as a free agent after leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of last season, however things haven’t gone as planned thus far.

Lingard has played three games for the K League 1 side, but all three have come as a substitute and he is yet to provide a goal or an assist for his new club. The ex-England international has also picked up two yellow cards so far.

His most recent appearance (vs Jeju United on Saturday) has now been heavily criticised by the FC Seoul boss.

What has been said about Jesse Lingard?

“He only played a few minutes, and yet he didn't work hard and avoided tussle," Gi-Dong said, as per South Korean newspaper JoongAng Daily.

“If you run less than a footballer who has played 90 minutes, you're not even a footballer. Fame doesn't win football games. If it did, I would have brought in a famous retired player.”

Lingard spent time training with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq before joining FC Seoul, but the club managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard opted against offering him a contract.

The ex-Man Utd academy star, who made just 20 appearances for Nottingham Forest last season, has not completed a full 90 minutes of action since August 2022 and will be hoping to save his career by earning a start in Seoul’s next game against Gangwon at the end of March.

FC Seoul are currently seventh in the K League table, having picked up four points from their opening three matches of the 2024 campaign. Stanislav Iljutcenko and Ki Sung-yueng scored the goals during Seoul’s 2-0 win over Jeju United on Saturday.