Latest news with #Kitchee
South China Morning Post
22-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong stalwart Tan Chun-lok reveals gains from England stint, wants another shot
Midfield enforcer Tan Chun-lok has revealed how 3½ years in England toughened him physically and mentally, and the Kitchee player is eager for another shot at playing in Europe or on mainland China. After relocating to Brooke House Football Academy in 2009, Tan soon signed for Peterborough United. In summer 2011, he joined Northampton Town, around the same time as current Hong Kong head coach Ashley Westwood arrived as a first-team player. 'England helped me build my personality; it was my first time away from home and I grew as a person,' said Tan, who has 55 Hong Kong caps. 'It was hard at the start. I was used to my parents doing things for me, but I had to do my laundry, make sure I ate well, and manage my schedule. In England, you have so much freedom; I learned how to behave as a professional.' On the field, Tan encountered a 'really tough style'. 'I improved my aerial ability and my tackling in 50-50s, where people go in really hard,' he said. 'When I came back to Hong Kong, I was still young, but I had no fear of the foreign players or their physicality.'
South China Morning Post
21-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ex-Brighton defender Calderon juggles Kitchee demands, stress of Hong Kong school system
More familiar with the inner workings of English football, Inigo Calderon has been juggling a crash course in the game in Hong Kong with the 'more stressful' task of trying to find schools for his two young children. 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.
South China Morning Post
09-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong football clubs in dark over new season but pushing ahead with signings
While Hong Kong's best are in South Korea for the East Asian Football Championship, the city's top clubs have been accelerating their preparations for the new campaign. Not that Tai Po, Eastern, Kitchee, Lee Man and the rest know precisely what they are readying themselves for. The local football association has confirmed Eastern District will be promoted into a new 10-team Premier League, as first reported by the Post But there is no word on when the new campaign will begin or the design of the competition. It has been suggested teams could play each other twice before the league is equally split into championship and relegation rounds for a total of 22 matches per side. Last season, which started on August 30, featured nine sides playing each other three times. The least prestigious of the three cup competitions, the Sapling Cup, appears to have breathed its last. Chan Man-chun, the Southern chairman and convenor of the Hong Kong Premier League committee, has floated the idea of reviving the League Cup, which was discontinued in 2016, with no restriction on foreign players. Southern celebrate after thumping Lee Man 4-0 in the 2025 Sapling Cup final. Photo: Nora Tam Various club sources told the Post they remained in the dark over league and cup arrangements for the coming season. This then is what we know the leading teams have been up to.
South China Morning Post
04-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong giants Kitchee appoint former Brighton defender as head coach
Former Brighton & Hove Albion defender Inigo Calderon has been tasked with returning the good times to Kitchee after he was appointed head coach of the Hong Kong giants. Advertisement Kitchee have been searching for a new boss since it was confirmed in April that Edgar Cardoso would leave after delivering the club's first trophyless season since 2009-10. It is believed John Morling, technical director of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), and a former Brighton academy manager, helped broker the deal. Calderon recently had four months in charge of Bristol Rovers, but the 43-year-old was sacked in May following the club's relegation from League One. He played more than 230 games in 6½ years with Brighton and won promotion to the Championship soon after joining from Alaves in January 2010. Advertisement Brighton reached the Championship play-offs on three separate occasions, losing in the semi-finals each time during Calderon's time on the south coast.
South China Morning Post
18-06-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong footballer says young players need to push themselves harder
Hong Kong defender Helio Goncalves has urged the city's young prospects to get serious or risk failing to fulfil their potential. Advertisement Goncalves, who was recently released by Kitchee following 11 silverware-laden seasons, said that even into his 40th year he would routinely beat the youngsters to training. 'In Hong Kong there are lots of players with huge potential, but something is missing,' Goncalves added. 'They need to be pushed. 'I always told them they needed to arrive early [for training], go to the gym and prepare. Don't get there 10 minutes before the coach says.' Goncalves, who hired his own personal trainer around eight years ago, said players should also use their spare time for self-improvement. Goncalves in action during a 2022 AFC Champions League win over Chiangrai United. Photo: Reuters 'How can you show your quality if you train, then go home and sleep,' he added. 'I knew I had to push myself; staying at Kitchee for 11 years is hard. It's a big club with big ambitions, and they demand a lot.'
