New Eastern player-coach Lee Kin-wo insists his mission this season is to provide more opportunities for young domestic players.
The 40-year-old Lee, whose prowess as a player made him a household name in Hong Kong, yesterday rejoined the team he left in 1995 after helping them win three consecutive league championships (1993-1995), as well as back-to-back FA Cups and Senior Shields (1993,1994).
'It's just like coming home,' said Lee, who left now-defunct Workable as player/coach this summer. 'The senior management took good care of me when I was a youngster with Eastern and I am very happy they have offered me another chance.
'Eastern have a long tradition of nurturing young players and I was one of the beneficiaries in the 1980s. I hope I can extend this good tradition, helping more Chinese footballers make the grade.' Lee said he convinced the team management to deploy only six foreign players next season, including one mainlander.
'Of course we want results, especially as we will represent Hong Kong in the AFC Cup as the Senior Shield champions,' he said. 'But we won't sacrifice the interests of our young players, as they are future of Hong Kong football.'
Eastern have only kept three Brazilians - Edemar Picoli, Djair Machado and Rodrigo Andreis Galvao - while Julius Akosah and Ferreira Siumar are joining from Kitchee and Rangers respectively.
