
Ex-Brighton defender Calderon juggles Kitchee demands, stress of Hong Kong school system
The former Brighton & Hove Albion defender was made Kitchee head coach on July 4, exactly two months after being sacked from his job with Bristol Rovers, who were relegated to League Two in April.
With his family based in England, the 43-year-old initially felt the move east was 'too far', but after talking to people in the city, he changed his mind.
'Sometimes, you need the challenge of a change,' Calderon added.
The Spaniard quit playing in early 2019, after 18 months with Chennaiyin in India. He lived apart from his family during that time, something he did not want to experience again.
Inigo Calderon is in his second senior head coach role after leaving Bristol Rovers. Photo: Edmond So
So, with a mix of 'excitement and anxiety', they are swapping Brighton for Hong Kong, once he has found a suitable school for his children.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


South China Morning Post
7 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong cycling medal hope Ceci Lee shows National Games promise in Australia
Ceci Lee Sze-wing has delivered a timely reminder of her potential to become Hong Kong's National Games poster girl, as the city began its 100-day countdown to co-hosting the showpiece. The cyclist claimed a notable victory in a criterium race on Saturday in Brisbane, where the Hong Kong team are holding a month-long training camp. And on Sunday, Lee, 24, was second behind teammate Chloe Leung Wing-yee in a nip-and-tuck road race. Although Lee is desperately keen to take omnium gold in her hometown in November, she has been busily refining her road skills under endurance coach Ben Kersten. Not that she lacks pedigree for it: in 2021, Lee stunned a high-class field to become Hong Kong's first National Games road race champion at the age of 20. 'I'm learning more about how to find a good position for the final sprint, but also how my teammates can help me do that,' Lee said. 'The best teams form a good chain for a lead-out, and we're working on it a lot for the National Games. The course will be nearly all flat, so it's very likely to be a bunch sprint at the end.' Vincent Lau (left) aims champagne at road race winner Rayann Lacheny and third-placed Australian Ben Carman. Photo: Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China Kersten had an immediate impact following his appointment in March, when the Australian led a female Hong Kong quartet including Lee and Leung to Tour of Thailand success.


South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Fantasy Premier League: all you need to know, as Liverpool, Arsenal, City spend big
The English Premier League's elite have been busier than ever this summer. Whether it's bringing in top-class talent from abroad or raiding the mid-table clubs for their most important assets, no one seems to be standing still. Of course, it's been a more productive summer for some than others. So as we near the end of pre-season, let's take a look at how a busy summer of transfer business is shaping the 2025-26 campaign – and the consequences for your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team. Liverpool New Liverpool signing Hugo Ekitike (left) with Virgil van Dijk in Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters The champions have not rested on their laurels, with a spending spree in the region of US$340 million ... so far.


South China Morning Post
21 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong rugby star pledges to overcome shock of third knee injury
Rosie Wright has vowed to fight tooth and nail for her international rugby career, after 'excruciating' surgery to repair a third tear of her left anterior cruciate ligament. Advertisement Hong Kong sevens player Wright had been feeling 'better than ever' before she suffered the knee injury in April that has ruled her out of this year's National Games. 'My foot got stuck under the person tackling me, then somebody hit me from above, and my body and knee twisted,' said Wright, who had surgery at London's Fortius Clinic last week. After hoping she had sustained only a meniscus tear, Wright's 'heart sank' when scans revealed the true picture. 'My physio was with me … we couldn't speak,' she said. 'I felt disbelief and shock. The first two weeks were brutal.' The 28-year-old first tore her ACL in August 2023, shortly before Hong Kong's women claimed Asian Games bronze.