Former Japan representative MF Jun Amano (31), who had been loaned from Yokohama F. Marinos of the Meiji Yasuda Life J1 League to Ulsan Hyundai of the K League 1 (Korea Division 1), left Ulsan Hyundai for the 2022 season. Earlier this month, it was officially decided that he would be transferred to Jeonbuk Hyundai, a rival club of Ulsan Hyundai. Ulsan Hyundai director Hong Myung-bo is angry at Jun Amano.
The player transferred from Yokohama F. Marinos to Ulsan Hyundai on loan in January last year. In the regular season, he started 18 out of 33 games and scored 8 goals and 1 assist, playing an active role as a key offensive player. He contributed greatly to Ulsan Hyundai’s league victory.
However, the Korean media “Sports Seoul” reported on November 20 last year that Jun Amano’s transfer to Jeonbuk Hyundai was certain. Both clubs had prepared $150,000 (approximately 21 million yen) for rental fees to Yokohama F. Marinos, but Jeonbuk Hyundai’s proposed annual salary was $100,000 (approximately 14 million yen) than Ulsan Hyundai’s. ) When it was reported that the fact that he was outnumbered was the decisive factor in the transfer, the rental transfer to Jeonbuk Hyundai was officially decided on the 5th of this month.
Meanwhile, on the 11th, the Korean sports site “Sportal Korea” published an interview with Ulsan Hyundai coach Hong Myung-bo.
According to this, coach Hong Myung-bo criticized the player, saying, “Jun Amano is the most hated by the Korean people… He chose that path.”
Regarding the background leading up to the Jeonbuk Hyundai transfer decision, “He consulted with Ulsan Hyundai a long time ago that if possible, he would like to extend his contract.
“When I returned to Japan following the season ended, I transferred to Jeonbuk Hyundai. Jun Amano said he was not interested in money, but in the end he moved to Jeonbuk Hyundai for money. I lied,” he said, claiming that there was a problem on the player’s side.
“I have met many Japanese players so far, but they are the worst Japanese among them. If there is a reason to want to go to another club and challenge, it is right to transfer them, but that was not the case. It means that he doesn’t respect Ulsan Hyundai. Coach Seigo Ikeda was also disappointed,” he said, expressing his resentment towards Jun Amano.
In Ulsan Hyundai, in addition to Jun Amano, Brazilian FW Leonardo (25), a former player belonging to Urawa Reds, left the team due to the expiration of the rental transfer period from Shandong Taishan in the first division of China. On the other hand, former Japan representative MF Tsutomu Esaka (30) has been acquired from Urawa Reds through a complete transfer.
