#KLUpod | Son Heung-min leaves Spurs, Kim Pan-gon parts ways with Ulsan HD & K League Summer Friendly Wrap-up

In what was set to be a simple review of the summer friendlies being hosted in Korea, Matthew Binns, Paul Neat and Andrew Farrell return to discuss two of the biggest stories to come out of the games plus a look at the K League-related fixtures and thoughts from the mixed zone and press conferences.

On the eve of the Tottenham Hotspur versus Newcastle United clash in this summer's Coupang Play Series, Korea footballing world was taken aback at the announcement from Spurs and National Team captain Son Heung-min about his decision to leave the Premier League outfit after 10 years with them.

With his subsequent record-breaking move to MLS side LA FC announced days later, the pod first takes a look at this sizeable transfer and the impact it could have on Korea ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

[READ: Son Heung-min signs with LA FC]

There were friendlies to be played though, with Team K League also back in action in what has once again become an annual tradition, defeating Newcastle by a goal to nil. Andrew gives his thoughts on the game plus we hear from Magpies boss Eddie Howe and FC Anyang's Thomas Oude-Kotte, before our columnist Claire Evans joins us to tell us about her experience from the stands.

Paul then takes us through FC Seoul's 7-3 defeat to Barcelona before Andrew then walks us through the Spanish Champions second Korea-based friendly, a 5-0 victory over Daegu. We also hear from Barcelona boss Hansi Flick along with Daegu striker Edgar who caught up with our own Jung Muyeol.

[READ: Dark days ahead for Daegu]

Finally, defeating Newcastle in a friendly wasn't enough to turn the attention away from under-fire Ulsan boss Kim Pan-gon, who saw his year at the club come to an end after an eleven game winless run. The reigning K League 1 Manager of the Year had been coming under increasing pressure as Ulsan's title bid slipped away. 

Kim has been replaced by former Korea and Indonesia National Team boss Shin Tae-yong, just in time for the weekend fixtures.

[READ: Ulsan HD Appoint Shin Tae-yong]

All this and more on The K League United Podcast!

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