Lee Im-saeng, the former technical director of the Korea Football Association (KFA) who was known to have played a leading role in the appointment of former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo, has been named technical director of the Cambodian professional football club NagaWorld FC.

NagaWorld FC announced on its official social media account yesterday (July 6) that it has appointed Lee as its new technical director, stating, "We expect NagaWorld FC to grow into a stronger team with the addition of Technical Director Lee."

NagaWorld, founded in 2001, introduced the new technical director by highlighting his credentials, including his role as an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) professional coaching instructor and member of the technical committee, his coaching experience in South Korea, Singapore, and China, his background in national team and elite football development, and his participation in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.

Lee is expected to oversee all technical aspects of the club at NagaWorld FC.

This marks Lee's return to a professional club field for the first time in about five years since he stepped down as manager of Suwon Samsung in 2020.

Lee's move to Cambodia is drawing attention as it comes shortly after the resignation of former head coach Hong Myung-bo from the national team.

Lee was identified as the person who took over the head coach selection process after Jung Hae-sung, then chairman of the National Team Committee, resigned in 2024, and led the appointment of Hong.

At the time, while foreign candidates such as current Canada national team head coach Jesse Marsch and former Jeonbuk Hyundai manager Gus Poyet went through interview processes, it was reported that Lee met with Hong personally to request he accept the national team head coach position without a separate interview.

During this process, questions were raised regarding procedural legitimacy, as Lee, who did not have the authority to appoint a head coach, conducted the process and the appointment was made without going through the National Team Committee.

At the time, Lee stated, "There were no procedural issues, and I made the decision transparently on my own as KFA President Chung Mong-gyu gave me full authority."

It was also reported that Lee guaranteed the salary for Hong, which was estimated at approximately 3.8 billion won, ranking 16th among the 48 countries participating in the North and Central America World Cup.

With the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee pushing for a hearing on the KFA, concerns are being raised that the hearing may end up being ineffective as key figures mentioned as witnesses, such as former coach Hong and Lee, are leaving for overseas one after another.

Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Jang Yu-jin | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News