Lee Kwang-jong willing to take over men's national football team for 2016 Summer Olympics

Lee Kwang-jong, who led the South Korean men's national football team to a gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games, Wednesday expressed his intention to take over the country's U-23 national team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. South Korea won its first gold in the event in 28 years.

"If picked by the KFA, I'll make preparations for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games," Lee told reporters before a luncheon meeting of coaches for the men's and women's national teams for the Incheon Asian Games and related officials. The meeting was held at the KFA office in central Seoul. KFA stands for the Korea Football Association, the nation's football governing body.

"Anyone else should tread a thorny path. I'll shoulder the task as I want to challenge myself," said Lee who is currently manager of the national U-20 football team. He recorded Round of 16 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2011 and quarter-final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2013.

Earlier this week, KFA Chairman Chung Mong-gyu said Lee is most favored to become head coach of the national team for the 2016 Olympics. Lee Yong-soo, chairman of the KFA’s technical committee, also made similar remarks.

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com

Lee Kwang-jong willing to take over men's national football team for 2016 Summer Olympics

Related