Hong Kong giants Kitchee appoint former Brighton defender as head coach
Inigo Calderon given responsibility of reviving ailing 12-time champions, following previous coaching stints in England
Former Brighton & Hove Albion defender Inigo Calderon has been tasked with returning the good times to Kitchee after he was appointed head coach of the Hong Kong giants.
Kitchee have been searching for a new boss since it was confirmed in April that Edgar Cardoso would leave after delivering the club’s first trophyless season since 2009-10.
It is believed John Morling, technical director of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), and a former Brighton academy manager, helped broker the deal.
Calderon recently had four months in charge of Bristol Rovers, but the 43-year-old was sacked in May following the club’s relegation from League One.
He played more than 230 games in 6½ years with Brighton and won promotion to the Championship soon after joining from Alaves in January 2010.
Brighton reached the Championship play-offs on three separate occasions, losing in the semi-finals each time during Calderon’s time on the south coast.