1. Early Life and Education
Lee Young-moo was born on July 26, 1953, in Goyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea. He pursued his education through Kyunghee Middle School and Kyunghee High School. From 1973 to 1976, he attended Kyung Hee University, where he continued to develop his football skills.
2. Player Career
Lee Young-moo's playing career spanned several prominent clubs in South Korea and saw him become a key figure for the South Korean national teams. He was known for his exceptional work rate and versatility on the field.
2.1. Club Career
Lee Young-moo began his professional club career with POSCO FC, playing for them from 1977 to 1978. Following this, he joined ROK Army from 1978 to 1980 as part of his mandatory draft service. After his military service, he played for Hallelujah FC from 1981 to 1982.
2.2. International Career
Lee Young-moo was a significant presence in South Korean national football, representing both the youth and senior teams. He played for the South Korea U20 from 1972 to 1973. He then progressed to the senior South Korea national team, where he played from 1975 to 1981, earning 85 caps and scoring 27 goals. His international career included participation in major tournaments such as the Asian Games, AFC Asian Cup, AFC Asian Cup qualification, Summer Olympics qualification, and FIFA World Cup qualification.
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 1975 | 19 | 9 |
| 1976 | 18 | 4 | |
| 1977 | 9 | 3 | |
| 1978 | 17 | 8 | |
| 1979 | 5 | 3 | |
| 1980 | 14 | 0 | |
| 1981 | 3 | 0 | |
| Career total | 85 | 27 | |
| Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Friendlies | 7 | 2 |
| Minor competitions | 45 | 17 |
| Asian Games | 6 | 1 |
| AFC Asian Cup qualification | 2 | 3 |
| AFC Asian Cup | 6 | 0 |
| Summer Olympics qualification | 11 | 2 |
| FIFA World Cup qualification | 8 | 2 |
| Total | 85 | 27 |
Results list South Korea's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 June 1975 | Jakarta, Indonesia | 4 | Malaysia | 1-1 | 1-1 - (3-4 penalties) | 1975 Jakarta Anniversary Tournament |
| 2 | 7 August 1975 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 9 | Thailand | 6-0 | 6-0 | 1975 Pestabola Merdeka |
| 3 | 17 August 1975 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 13 | Malaysia | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1975 Pestabola Merdeka |
| 4 | 8 September 1975 | Seoul, South Korea | 14 | Japan | 3-0 | 3-0 | Friendly |
| 5 | 14 December 1975 | Kaohsiung, Republic of China | 15 | Republic of China | 2-0 | 2-0 | 1976 Summer Olympics qualification |
| 6 | 27 December 1975 | Bangkok, Thailand | 18 | Indonesia | 2-0 | 2-0 | 1975 King's Cup |
| 7 | 30 December 1975 | Bangkok, Thailand | 19 | Singapore | 2-0 | 5-0 | 1975 King's Cup |
| 8 | 4-0 | ||||||
| 9 | 5-0 | ||||||
| 10 | 21 March 1976 | Tokyo, Japan | 22 | Japan | 1-0 | 2-0 | 1976 Summer Olympics qualification |
| 11 | 13 September 1976 | Seoul, South Korea | 32 | India | 1-0 | 4-0 | 1976 Korea Cup |
| 12 | 3-0 | ||||||
| 13 | 17 September 1976 | Seoul, South Korea | 33 | Singapore | 3-0 | 7-0 | 1976 Korea Cup |
| 14 | 14 February 1977 | Singapore | 38 | Singapore | 2-0 | 4-0 | Friendly |
| 15 | 11 November 1977 | Tehran, Iran | 46 | Iran | 1-0 | 2-2 | 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 16 | 2-2 | ||||||
| 17 | 12 July 1978 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 47 | Malaysia | 3-1 | 3-1 | 1978 Pestabola Merdeka |
| 18 | 14 July 1978 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 48 | Thailand | 3-0 | 3-0 | 1978 Pestabola Merdeka |
| 19 | 29 July 1978 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 53 | Iraq | 1-0 | 2-0 | 1978 Pestabola Merdeka |
| 20 | 13 September 1978 | Daegu, South Korea | 55 | Bahrain | 2-1 | 3-1 | 1978 Korea Cup |
| 21 | 15 December 1978 | Bangkok, Thailand | 58 | Japan | 1-0 | 3-1 | 1978 Asian Games |
| 22 | 25 December 1978 | Manila, Philippines | 62 | Macau | 2-0 | 4-1 | 1980 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 23 | 3-0 | ||||||
| 24 | 4-0 | ||||||
| 25 | 12 September 1979 | Daegu, South Korea | 66 | Sri Lanka | 6-0 | 6-0 | 1979 Korea Cup |
| 26 | 14 September 1979 | Jeonju, South Korea | 67 | Bahrain | 2-0 | 5-1 | 1979 Korea Cup |
| 27 | 3-1 |
2.3. Style of Play
Despite not possessing exceptional natural talent or a physically imposing physique, Lee Young-moo was renowned for his extraordinary work rate and tireless effort on the field, often described as the most active South Korean footballer of his era. Although typically designated as an attacking midfielder in the starting lineup, his actual role was fluid and expansive due to his immense stamina and wide range of movement. He actively participated in both offensive and defensive plays, covering a vast area of the pitch. The Korea Football Association unofficially noted that he once covered approximately 12 mile (20 km) in a single match, a testament to his incredible endurance.
3. Major Tournament Achievements
Lee Young-moo's playing career was marked by significant achievements in international tournaments with the South Korean national teams.
3.1. Asian Games
Lee played a crucial role in the South Korean national team's success at the 1978 Asian Games held in Bangkok, Thailand, where the team secured the gold medal in football.
3.2. AFC Asian Cup
He was an integral part of the South Korean squad that finished as runner-up in the 1980 AFC Asian Cup held in Kuwait. His performance in this tournament earned him a place in the Team of the Tournament.
3.3. AFC Youth Championship
Lee also achieved success at the youth level, contributing to the South Korea U20 team's runner-up finish in the 1972 AFC Youth Championship in Thailand. The following year, in 1973, he helped the team secure a bronze medal at the 1973 AFC Youth Championship in Iran.
4. Player Honours
Lee Young-moo received numerous team and individual accolades throughout his distinguished playing career.
4.1. Team Honours
- POSCO FC
- Korean National Championship runner-up: 1977
- ROK Army
- Korean Semi-professional League (Spring): 1980
- Korean National Championship: 1979
- Korean President's Cup runner-up: 1980
- South Korea U20
- AFC Youth Championship runner-up: 1972
- South Korea
- Asian Games: 1978 (Gold)
- AFC Asian Cup runner-up: 1980
4.2. Individual Honours
- Korean FA Best XI: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980
- Korean National Championship Best Player: 1979
- AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 1980
- Korean FA Most Valuable Player: 1980
5. Managerial Career
Following his retirement as a player, Lee Young-moo transitioned into a long and impactful career in football management and administration, overseeing various clubs and holding significant positions within the Korean football structure.
5.1. Early Managerial Career
Lee Young-moo began his managerial journey with Immanuel FC, where he served as manager from 1983 to 1992. He then moved to E-Land Puma, managing the club from 1992 to 1998, a period during which he achieved considerable success.
5.2. Hallelujah FC / Goyang Zaicro FC
Lee Young-moo had a significant and extended tenure with Hallelujah FC and its successor, Goyang Zaicro FC. He managed Gimpo Hallelujah from 1999 to 2005. He later returned to manage Ansan Hallelujah from 2009 to 2011. In 2011, he briefly managed TTM Phichit. When Hallelujah FC was professionalized and rebranded as Goyang Hi FC (later Goyang Zaicro FC) in 2013, Lee Young-moo was appointed as its inaugural manager, a position he held from 2012 to 2014.
In July 2014, allegations were filed with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's reporting center, accusing Lee, a devout Christian, of privatizing the club's organization and infringing upon religious freedom within the team. As an investigation commenced, he resigned from his managerial role. However, he maintained influence within the club, serving as its technical director for the remainder of the 2014 season. In 2015, following an investigation, he was cleared of the charges and subsequently returned to the managerial position at Goyang for the 2015 season. Before the 2016 season, he was promoted to the role of chairman of Goyang.
5.3. KFA Activities
Beyond club management, Lee Young-moo also contributed to football administration at a national level. He served as the Chairman of the Korea Football Association's Technical Committee, playing a role in the strategic development of South Korean football.
6. Managerial Honours
Lee Young-moo's managerial career was marked by several team titles and individual recognitions, particularly during his time with E-Land Puma.
6.1. Team Honours
- E-Land Puma
- Korean Semi-professional League (Spring): 1995, 1996
- Korean National Championship: 1994, 1995
- Korean Semi-professional Championship: 1995
- Korean President's Cup: 1994
- Hallelujah FC (1999)
- Korean President's Cup runner-up: 2002
6.2. Individual Honours
- Korean National Championship Best Manager: 1994
7. Faith and Personal Life
Lee Young-moo is a deeply committed Christian, and his faith has significantly influenced both his personal life and his career decisions. During his playing days, he was known for performing prayer ceremonies after scoring goals. His religious convictions were also cited as a source of his remarkable stamina and diligence on the field.
8. Assessment and Influence
Lee Young-moo's career as both a player and a manager has left a lasting impact on South Korean football, characterized by significant achievements and periods of controversy.
8.1. Positive Contributions
As a player, Lee Young-moo was celebrated for his exceptional work rate, versatility, and crucial contributions to both offensive and defensive aspects of the game. His instrumental role in South Korea's gold medal victory at the 1978 Asian Games and the runner-up finish in the 1980 AFC Asian Cup solidified his status as a national team legend. His individual accolades, including multiple selections to the Korean FA Best XI and the Korean FA Most Valuable Player award, underscore his consistent high performance.
In his managerial career, he led E-Land Puma to multiple titles, demonstrating his tactical acumen and leadership capabilities. His long tenure and various roles within the Hallelujah/Goyang Zaicro FC organization, culminating in his promotion to chairman, highlight his dedication and continued influence in club management.
8.2. Controversies and Criticisms
Lee Young-moo's managerial career was not without challenges. In July 2014, during his tenure as manager of Goyang Hi FC, allegations surfaced regarding the privatization of the club's organization and the infringement of religious freedom within the team, particularly given his strong Christian faith. These reports were filed with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, leading to an official investigation. In response to the investigation, Lee resigned from his managerial position. However, he continued to exert influence as the club's technical director for the remainder of that season. Following the investigation, he was cleared of the charges in 2015 and subsequently reinstated as the club's manager, before being promoted to chairman in 2016.
8.3. Overall Impact on Korean Football
Lee Young-moo's multifaceted career, spanning decades as a player, manager, and administrator, has had a profound impact on South Korean football. His tireless work ethic as a player set a standard for dedication, while his success as a manager, particularly with E-Land Puma, showcased his ability to build winning teams. His long-term involvement with Hallelujah FC and Goyang Zaicro FC, even amidst controversy, demonstrates his enduring commitment to the sport. As a former Chairman of the Korea Football Association's Technical Committee, he also contributed to the strategic direction of football in the country. His legacy is one of significant contributions to the development and evolution of South Korean football, marked by both celebrated achievements and notable challenges.
9. External Links
- [http://www.kfa.or.kr/record/playeramatch.asp?Page=1&Query=Gender%3DM%26Name%3D%EC%9D%B4%EC%98%81%EB%AC%B4 Lee Young-moo - National Team Stats at KFA]
- [http://www.kfa.or.kr/news/news_view.asp?tb_name=interview_gisa&g_idx=438&g_gubun=4 나의 선수시절 - 이영무, '원조' 2개의 심장을 가진 사나이]