Veteran football star Lee Young-pyo on Tuesday criticized football officials for lacking patience with national team coaches, offering his two cents on the controversial coaching change earlier this month.“There may be some misunderstanding and discord when you’re working for Korean football, but it’s all part of the process,” Lee told reporters. “Changing coaches too frequently is something we should all think hard about.”Lee was addressing the local press for the first time since he signed wit

Dec. 27, 2011

Berbatov nets 3; Park Ji-sung opens scoringLONDON (AP) ― Manchester United flourished as Manchester City floundered on Monday to wipe out its neighbor’s lead in the Premier League title race.City’s was left clinging to top spot on goal difference after its expensively assembled attacking unit failed to score in the league for the first time this season in a 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion.Injury-hit United took full advantage, with Dimitar Berbatov’s hat trick powering the champions to a second

Dec. 27, 2011

The recently fired head coach of the national football team on Monday claimed to have come under pressure from senior officials in his player selection, an allegation promptly rejected by a high-ranking football executive.(Yonhap News)Cho Kwang-rae, dismissed earlier this month, said three senior of

Dec. 26, 2011

Another year and another manager for South Korean football: The baton has now passed from Cho Kwang-rae to another local manager, Choi Kang-hee. But the newly appointed manager said Thursday that he is taking the helm of the national team only “temporarily.”“My contract will be until June 2013, and I want to go back to my club,” Choi said.The announcement came just two weeks after the football governing body fired former manager Cho.Speaking at a news conference at the Korean Football Associatio

Dec. 22, 2011

LONDON (AP) ― David Beckham’s management company says reports the former England captain has agreed a deal to join Paris Saint-Germain are “premature.”The 36-year-old former England captain has been in talks with the French capital club, but could still accept an offer to stay at the Los Angeles Galaxy where his five-year deal ended after winning his first MLS Cup last month. “No agreement has been reached with any club yet ― talks of a deal are premature,” Beckham’s management company, XIX Ente

Dec. 21, 2011

Choi Kang-hee of Jeonbuk Motors has been confirmed as the new Korean national team manager. Following a meeting of its technical committee, the Korea Football Association announced on Wednesday that the 52-year-old would lead the national team for the Asian qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.The announcement came just two weeks after the football governing body fired former manager Cho Kwang-rae, citing his inability to control the team. Cho first came under fire following Korea’s humiliating 3-0

Dec. 21, 2011

Choi Kang-hee, head coach for the reigning South Korean football champion, was named the new national team head coach Wednesday.Choi, 52, replaces Cho Kwang-rae, who was fired two weeks ago after South Korea fell 2-1 to Lebanon in the third round of the regional qualification for the 2014 FIFA World

Dec. 21, 2011

Challenges lurk in finding right man for national teamTime is almost up, but Korean football’s governing body is still struggling to find the right candidate to lead the national football team.The Korea Football Association announced earlier this month that it would appoint a new manager before the end of 2011 following its dismissal of Cho Kwang-rae.The KFA noted that the national team’s future for the 2014 World Cup is uncertain under the guidance of Cho, who is now criticizing the authority f

Dec. 19, 2011

Ronaldo bags hat trick as Real routs SevillaLONDON (AP) ― Chelsea missed a chance to put pressure on the two Manchester clubs at the top of the Premier League on Saturday, yielding a goal with two minutes left in a 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Wigan.Chelsea looked on course for a fourth straight Premier League victory when Daniel Sturridge scored his eighth goal of the season in the 59th minute. But Wigan dominated the second half and Jordi Gomez tapped in from close range after a mistake b

Dec. 18, 2011

South Korea will actively consider hiring a foreign national to lead its football team, a senior official said Tuesday.Hwangbo Kwan, head of the technical committee at the Korea Football Association, said the vacant job is open for coaches from home and overseas, but officials will have “some concrete discussions” on foreign candidates.“We’re going to look at different names,” Hwangbo said following a meeting of his committee at the National Football Center here, north of Seoul. “But a lot of ou

Dec. 13, 2011

LONDON (AP) ― Manchester City won’t be running away with the English Premier League. City’s 17-game league unbeaten streak ended as Frank Lampard converted a late penalty kick that lifted Chelsea to a 2-1 victory Monday night.“Chelsea were really lucky in this game,” City manager Roberto Mancini said. “We are disappointed with this defeat but we have time to recover.”Mario Balotelli put the visitors ahead after 105 seconds, but Raul Meireles tied it in the 34th minute.Lampard replaced Meireles i

Dec. 13, 2011

LONDON (AP) ― Tottenham’s 11-match unbeaten run ended Sunday with a 2-1 loss at Stoke in the English Premier League.Matthew Etherington, who played for Tottenham from 2000-03, scored twice in the first half to help send the Spurs to their first defeat since Aug. 28.Emmanuel Adebayor scored on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute for Tottenham, which was hurt by a red card to Younes Kaboul late in the game.Tottenham remained seven points behind Manchester City, which visits Chelsea on Monday. Stoke

Dec. 12, 2011