Remember Man Utd midfielder Park Ji-sung? See what he is currently doing

• Ji Sung-Park was one of the best midfielders in the world during his prime days. 
• He played in Europe for PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United and Queens Park Rangers
• He is the most decorated Asian player of all time. He won a total of 19 trophies including a UEFA Champions League with Manchester United. 
• Ji Sung-Park is currently at Queens Park Rangers where is coaching the club’s under-16 team.

Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean former professional footballer. He was one of the best midfielders in the world during his prime days. The legendary midfielder could play anywhere across the midfield.

He was known for his stamina which made football fans give him the name “Three Lungs” Park. He is one of the most successful Asian football players of all time. Ji Sung-Park won a total of 19 trophies during his professional career days.

He is the first Asian footballer to play in a UEFA Champions League final. He is also the first Asian footballer to win the UEFA Champions League title. Park won the UEFA Champions League with Manchester United in 2008. Ji Sung-Park is the first Asian player to win the FIFA Club World Cup.

On international level, Ji Sung-Park made 100 appearances for the South Korean national team. He scored a total of 13 goals for the national team. He was part of the South Korean national team that finished fourth at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Ji Sung-Park also represented South Korea at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup tournaments. He still holds the record of Asian footballer with most man of the match at FIFA World Cup. He was named man of the match four times.

Ji Sung-Park began playing football at Anyong Middle School. He later moved to Suwon Technical High School and Myongji University. Park began his professional football career in 2000 at Kyoto Purple Sanga FC. He helped the club win J2 League and Emperor’s Cup in 2002.

Ji Sung-Park then travelled to Europe in 2003 where he joined PSV Eindhoven. He helped the Dutch club win the Eredivisie in his first season. Park also won the KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield with PSV Eindhoven before leaving for Manchester United in 2005.

Ji Sung-Park helped strengthen Manchester United’s midfield which had big names like Paul Scholes, Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs. He received much praise from Manchester United due to his work rate, energy and movement off-the-ball.

Sir Alex Ferguson often used the Asian as a central midfielder. However, he could also play as an attacking midfielder or a second striker. Park had much influence on big games where a lot of defensive work was needed.

Park Ji-Sung during his time at Manchester United. Photo/ Manchester Evening News

Ji Sung-Park left Manchester United in 2012 after spending seven years with the English Premier League giants. Park won numerous trophies with Manchester United including four Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League title.

The legendary midfielder moved to Queens Park Rangers where he spend the 2012-13 season. He then moved to PSV Eindhoven the next season on loan. He spent one season at PSV then retired from professional football in May 2014.

Park married former television reporter Kim Min-ji on July 2014. The two currently have a daughter and a son. Ji Sung-Park has been involved in numerous activities since he hanged his boots.

The former Manchester United star took the global ambassador role for the club on October 2014. Park was active during the 2018 FIFA World Cup as he was a football commentator for a South Korean broadcasting company SBS. He joined K League 1 club Jeonbuk Hyundai as the advisor on January 2021.

He helped in selection and nurturing of young players at the club. Park also advised on training system and scouting of the players. He announced his resignation as Manchester United’s global ambassador while at Jeonbuk Hyundai as the advisor.

Ji Sung Park returned to England in December 2021 where he rejoined Queens Park Rangers. Park is currently coaching the under-16s at Queens Park Rangers as part of his B license in coaching. He is learning the ropes as a football coach under the guidance of Chris Ramsey.

Well, it should not be a surprise to football fans when Ji Sung-Park becomes a top coach in coming years.

Park Ji-Sung. Photo/Manchester United