With the 2021 Hana 1Q K League 1 season just around the corner, a guide to all 12 top flight managers, starting with the longest serving gaffer Kim Byung-soo down to Hong Myung-bo, who is set to take charge of a K League match for the first time this season.
Kim Byung-soo - Gangwon FC
Appointed: 12th August 2018
As a manager Kim Byung-soo has had spells with Yonsei University as well as Seoul E-Land in K League 2, but the 50-year-old has been in charge of Gangwon FC since August 2018. Famed for his possession-based style, nicknamed "Byung-soo Ball", Kim's teams have had the most possession out of any K League 1 side over the last few seasons. After taking over mid-way through in 2018, Gangwon finished 8th that year but secured a top half finish in 2019. Kim's win record for Gangwon FC is 32% with 28 wins from 81 K League 1 matches.
Kim Ki-dong - Pohang Steelers
Appointed: 23rd April 2019
Former Pohang Steelers midfielder Kim Ki-dong is the second longest serving manager among the current K League 1 bosses. Kim was appointed in April 2019 following the departure of Choi Soon-ho and in his first season guided the Steelers to fourth place, level on points with FC Seoul in third after winning 14 from 30 matches (46.6% win record). In 2020, the 49-year-old went one further by guiding Pohang to the AFC Champions League after a four-year absence. Overall, with Kim has a 51% win record as Pohang manager.
Kim Do-kyun - Suwon FC
Appointed: 14th November 2019
Kim Do-kyun was appointed as manager of Suwon FC at the tail end of 2019 for what was his manager's first job at K League level. But, in his first season, Kim led Suwon to promotion via the playoffs, overcoming Gyeongnam FC in the final thanks to a last gasp An Byong-jun penalty. With 27 league matches under his belt and 17 victories, Kim boasts of a 63% win record. Kim, a former midfielder who had spells with Ulsan, Seongnam and Jeonnam, joined Suwon FC after being part of the coaching staff with Ulsan Hyundai.
Kim Nam-il - Seongnam FC
Appointed: 23rd December 2019
Replacing Nam Ki-il at Seongnam FC at the tail end of 2019 was former Korean National Team defender Kim Nam-il. Kim, who was managing at K League level for the first time in 2020, guided the Magpies to safety and secured top flight football for the third season in succession. Life under the former defender began with a 2-0 win for Seongnam on the opening day last season with a brace from Yang Dong-hyun.
Nam Ki-il - Jeju United
Appointed: 26th December 2019
Nam Ki-il swapped Seongnam for Seogwipo prior to the start of last season and took up the vacant manager's position at Jeju United. In his first season with the Islanders, Nam won the K League 2 title and secured a place back in the top flight at the first time of asking. The Islanders won 18 of their 27 matches in K League 2 last year, giving Nam a 66% win record. Nam also won promotion with Gwangju FC in 2014 and Seongnam FC in 2018. The former midfielder spent seven seasons as a player with the SK-owned club when it was based on the mainland as Bucheon SK.
Lee Byung-keun - Daegu FC
Appointed: 5th February 2020
Initially appointed as caretaker manager following the departure of André Gaspar, former Suwon Bluewings coach Lee Byung-keun has enjoyed a fruitful spell as Daegu FC boss. With 11 wins from 27, Lee boasts of a 40% win record as Daegu FC manager, enough to guide the Sky Blues to 5th place and AFC Champions League qualification. Prior to being tasked with leading Daegu FC, Lee had spells with Suwon Bluewings and Gyeongnam FC as coach. During his playing career as a defender, Lee spent two seasons with Daegu in 2006 and 2007.
Jo Sung-hwan - Incheon United
Appointed: 7th August 2020
Former Jeju United manager Jo Sung-hwan was drafted in at Sungui Arena Park last summer, tasked with saving Incheon United from relegation. On the very day Jo was appointed as new boss, Incheon were nine points adrift at the foot of the K League 1 table. But his tenure began with a 1-0 win over Daegu FC, United's first win of the campaign. Six more wins in 11 matches later, including back-to-back maximums over Busan IPark and FC Seoul to end the campaign, and survival was secured. In 2017, Jo guided Jeju United to runners up spot in K League 1. In his playing days, Jo was a defender who played for the Yukong Elephants (Bucheon SK, now Jeju United) and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Park Kun-ha - Suwon Bluewings
Appointed: 8th September 2020
Suwon Samsung Bluewings appointed club legend Park Kun-ha as new manager in early December last year. Park, a former defender, had worked with the club in various coaching roles between 2007 and 2010 and had managed at K League level before with Seoul E-Land. His first win came in just his third match in charge, a 2-1 away victory over Gangwon FC. A week later and Park guided the Bluewings to their first Super Match win since 2015 and ended the season with just one defeat in eight. Suwon also reached the AFC Champions League quarter finals and narrowly lost on penalties to Vissel Kobe. Park was part of the 1998 and 1999 K League championship winning teams and also helped the club win the Asian Champions Cup and Asian Super Cup in 2001 and 2002 as a striker before converting to a defender.
Park Jin-sub - FC Seoul
Appointed: 8th December 2020
FC Seoul appointed Gwangju FC boss Park Jin-sub as their new manager, after a successful two-and-a-half-year spell with the Yellows. Park is yet to lead his new team out but has an impressive CV having guided Gwangju to the K League 2 title in 2019 and safety in K League 1 a year later. Park's coaching career began with Busan IPark in 2014, serving as assistant to Yoon Sung-hyo and Choi Young-jun before joining Pohang Steelers in 2015. The Gwangju job was Park's first as a manager and with 41 wins in 106 league matches, has a win record of 38%. Park's first game in charge of FC Seoul will be the K League 1 season opener with the capital club heading to Jeonju World Cup Stadium to take on champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Kim Ho-young - Gwangju FC
Appointed: 21st December 2020
With Park Jin-sub heading to FC Seoul, the Gwangju FC board were left with the task of finding a replacement. In stepped former Gangwon FC boss and former FC Seoul caretaker Kim Ho-young. Kim's most recent managerial position was as the first of three caretakers at FC Seoul last year. The 51-year-old had nine matches in charge, winning four and drawing three.
Kim Sang-sik - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Appointed: 22nd December 2020
Kim Sang-sik may be new to management, having been named as Jeonbuk boss, but has been at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in some sort of capacity since 2009, first as a player before retiring in 2013, then as assistant manager. Kim served as number two to both Choi Kang-hee and Jose Morais during a spell which saw the Green Warriors win multiple K League titles, an AFC Champions League and the FA Cup. His first match in charge will be against FC Seoul on Saturday February 27th.
Hong Myung-bo - Ulsan Hyundai
Appointed: 24th December 2020
Hong Myung-bo was chosen as Kim Do-hoon's successor at 2020 AFC Champions League winners Ulsan Hyundai and took charge officially for the FIFA Club World Cup. Hong is a Korean football legend and is the joint-most capped player with 136 appearances for the Taeguk Warriors. Before returning to K League management, Hong Myung-bo's most recent role was as an advisor for the KFA and K League but had a spell in management with Hangzhou Greentown in China from December 2015 to May 2017. He was also the Korean National Team manager from June 2013 to July 2014. Hong will take charge of a K League match for the first time when Ulsan take on Gangwon FC on March 1st.
Paul Neat
Managing Editor
paul@kleagueunited.com
