Suwon FC head coach Kim Eun-joong will prepare for the new season with stronger leadership.
Suwon FC signed a one-year contract renewal with head coach Kim on the 20th. <Sports Seoul Online Exclusive Report on Dec. 20>. Head coach Kim, who was scheduled to expire in 2025, will extend his contract by one year and serve as the head coach of Suwon FC until 2026.
In the 2024 season, Kim finished fifth in the K-League, the best in Suwon FC history, and posted the highest number of points (53 points). The remarkable achievement was made in the first year of professional leadership transformation.
Kim gave the club the best time, but he was not treated accordingly. Throughout the season, the club, not the coach, took the lead in the transfer market. Notably, he sent his key players, including Lee Seung-woo, Lee Young-joon and Park Min-gyu, away last summer, but failed to recruit them noticeably. Son Jun-ho, who was brought in by Choi Soon-ho as the head of the team, terminated his contract after being disciplined by the Chinese Football Association. The mood of the team was devastated. If Kim had spent the season without any other worries, Suwon FC might have finished fifth or higher.
At the end of the season, Kim seemed to be treated poorly. Although the team asked the team to renew the contract based on its performance in the 2024 season, Suwon FC said, "Kim is demanding too much salary." He said, "I'm going to leave for another team." Kim had no choice but to feel displeased. "I didn't ask for an increase in annual salary," he said, explaining positively.
Amid mounting friction, Suwon FC suddenly bowed down. Choi reportedly promised full support along with renewing his contract. In particular, the supporters' group also reportedly said in a statement that the team's staff ignored the manager and reported directly to the general manager to recruit players after the conflict with him in the transfer market last summer, which is an act that disregards the manager's authority and basic principles of team management.
The conflict was dramatically resolved because Kim eventually produced results. An official familiar with the club's situation said, "I know the city has also watched the case. He strongly pointed out the club's move to send the best-performing manager. The club must have been too burdened to part with Kim."
Having enjoyed the best season under unfavorable conditions, Kim will be able to clearly control his team in the 2025 season thanks to his strong leadership. Suwon FC is expected to continue its strong performance in the new season as well. 먹튀검증