Jesse Lingard shares heartbreaking reason why he took break from football and South Korea was the perfect fresh start

10/12/2024 05:49 AM

Jesse Lingard has opened up on the personal heartbreak that saw him take a break from football last year.

Lingard was released at the end of his Nottingham Forest contract following the conclusion of the 2022/23 season.

It was a tough spell at the club where he played 20 times and scored just twice.

He suggests that at times he did not get on the pitch due to his high appearance bonuses, and Forest were struggling to meet Profit and Sustainability [PSR] rules.

The 31-year-old former Manchester United academy starlet did not sign for another club until the following Feburary.

This was a shock move to FC Seoul in South Korea.

Lingard has now written a column for The Times opening up on the family tragedy behind his break from football.

He wrote: “Behind every footballer there's a story the public aren't aware of and I'd like you to know mine. It might explain how I got here — and help other players dealing with private strife.”

Lingard continued: “The only cure was rest [for injury] but, in the summer, when I was out of contract, my nan got ill. She was an amazing woman — Pamela Lingard — and she and my grandad brought me up while, for long parts of my childhood, my mum battled depression.”

He added: “But over the course of last summer, she became really poorly. She was in and out of hospital and though I was training hard and missed being at a club, it felt like being out of contract was God's plan: I'm not going to give you a team right now, you need to stay home and be with your family.

“So that's what I did. I spent as much time as I could with them and in November, when Nan passed away, Grandad took it really hard. He was depressed and suffering dizzy spells and was hospitalised himself. He needed looking after too, and there was the funeral to organise and a speech to give.

“I believe things happen for a reason and that, while my family was suffering, it was just written for me to take a break from playing. However, after Christmas last year it was time to start my comeback.”

He then signed a two-year deal with FC Seoul and they have now reached the play-offs.

On his decision to move there, he said: “The idea of Korea grabbed me. Not just a different challenge, but a new environment and culture. FC Seoul is one of the biggest clubs in the K League, with a fantastic stadium, so I said yes.”

Lingard has played 18 times for his new club, scoring four goals.