Ex-Chelsea player Gus Poyet named manager of South Korean club Jeonbuk

Former English Premier League player Gus Poyet has been named the new manager of South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the twice Asian Champions League winners announced on Tuesday.  

Poyet, who gained recognition as the first Uruguayan to manage in England’s top tier when he took over Sunderland in 2013, was most recently the head coach of Greece’s national team until March this year.

The 57-year-old faces the challenge of revitalizing Jeonbuk’s fortunes. Despite being the most successful club in the K League with nine domestic titles, Jeonbuk has struggled recently, narrowly avoiding relegation after finishing 10th in the 12-team league and securing their top-flight status in a playoff earlier this month.

Poyet enjoyed a distinguished playing career, representing Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, before transitioning to management in 2009 with Brighton & Hove Albion in England’s third division.

He now brings his wealth of experience to Jeonbuk, aiming to restore their dominance in South Korean football.

Poyet’s former Chelsea team-mate Dan Petrescu also managed Jeonbuk, leaving the job in April this year.