Director Lee Jung-hyo of 'Suwon Man' is confident in his appearance, "There is no pressure... "I'll just focus on soccer." [Suwon site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Manager Lee Jung-hyo (50), who is taking on a new challenge at Suwon Samsung, expressed his strong determination.

At a press conference held at the Deutsche Auto World Charancha Studio in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do at 2 p.m. on the 2nd, head coach Lee Jung-hyo said, "I'm honored that you chose Suwon with history and tradition," adding, "I'll do my best to achieve the club's big goals and dreams."

Suwon announced the appointment of Lee Jung-hyo as the 11th coach on the 24th. Manager Lee Jung-hyo recently received offers from overseas clubs and multiple K League 1 clubs, but held Suwon's hand.

With the addition of head coach Lee Jung-hyo, Suwon has made a major improvement in its constitution. Suwon completely reorganized its coaching staff into the so-called Lee Jung-hyo division. Head coach Ma Chul-joon, coach Cho Yong-tae, goalkeeper coach Shin Jung-hwan, physical coach Kim Kyung-do, analysis coach Park Won-kyo, and coach Cho Kwang-soo, who were also in Gwangju, joined Suwon.

The team is also boldly undergoing reorganization. Suwon released key strikers Seraphim, Leo, Lee Kyu-sung and Kim Sang-jun last season, as well as veterans such as Han Ho-gang, Kim Min-woo, Choi Young-joon, Hwang Seok-ho and Lee Ki-je.

Coach Lee Jung-hyo is a leader who has proven his promotion performance on the K-League stage. He led Seongnam FC to promotion in 2018 and Jeju United (currently Jeju SK) head coach in 2020, and achieved direct promotion by winning the most points (86 points) in K League 2 in his first year as coach of Gwangju FC in 2022. Since then, he has led Gwangju to the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) and the 2025 Korea Cup runner-up.

Suwon, which will mark its third season in the K League 2, will try to promote to the K League 1 with Lee Jung-hyo, who is known as the league's best tactician.

-How do you feel about taking office.

"It is an honor that you chose Suwon with its history and tradition. I was also impressed with the inauguration. Thank you to the front desk of Suwon. I am also grateful that you called out the names of the coaching staff. Thanks to Kang Woo-hyung, CEO of the division, I was able to come to Suwon. I will do my best to achieve my club's big goals and dreams."

-The advantages and disadvantages of Suwon that we saw from the outside.

"To be honest, I didn't see it well. The situation I was in right now was too busy to look at. I watched the December 3rd and 7th (Empowerment Playoff) games hard. I saw an impressive scene. Rather than running the game after losing points, the players' professional consciousness seemed to be different from mine. I want to change it through team meetings and communication. I thought a lot about my attitude and lifestyle and how to treat my fans."

-He said he accepted the manager's position because of the sincerity of the club.

"I think you'll know well even if you watch today's event." I felt respect for the coaching staff. It's hard to describe how warm you were. I couldn't help but be moved. There is a saying that "To succeed in business, you must not mix emotions." But in sports, emotions influence a lot. I felt how much the representative wanted our division, so I chose to go to Suwon."

-The team we met in the morning.

"We said one. We also talked about soccer briefly. He also said that the way to score goals and not lose points should be made as one. I also talked with the players about how to meet and greet them in the morning. Look at the face and greet the player with eyes and fists. I thought it was meaningful for the staff to start their daily routine. I've been going on, and I'm not going to change."

-Choosing K League 2 is a big challenge. Why did I choose Suwon instead of K League 1.

"For me, the first and second parts don't matter. He wanted Lee Jung-hyo and respected me. There was no preconceived notion of how the players were coached or their characters."

-What is the club's willingness to rebuild a prestigious family.

"It's up to me. If you show what kind of soccer you play, investment will follow. He is still recruiting players. Director Park Pyeong-sik and team leader Seo Young-jin are helping. The goal is quite large. Rather than feeling pressured, I'm going to have fun."

-There was about 10 days after the official announcement.

"I was holding a lot of phones. I did a lot of work on the computer. I communicated with the team every day to make a virtual squad. The season will be comfortable if you live busy now."

-It's a tactician director. Will you realize what you couldn't do in the previous team.

"I don't care about the good and bad players. However, there may be a difference in the level of performance. I don't make unreasonable demands on the club. There are many young timber trees in Suwon. Quality training is more important than playing games. That's why he asked for a name and an experienced player. It will help the players grow a lot."

-He said the goal was quite big. to be specific.

"All teams in the K-League will have the same goals. I don't want to say grandly that my goal is to win, promote, and advance to the Asian Champions League. The process is important. The process is important to go to the Asian Champions League and the Club World Cup."

-The rebuilding of Liverpool's great family took a long time. Suwon's time table is.

"Of course I made a plan. Even if it takes a long time, I will constantly try to achieve my goal. I will focus on growing both me and the team during that time. I will move forward step by step to give Suwon a good experience."

-How is Lee Jung-hyo different from when he was appointed to Gwangju.

"When I first coached, I didn't have as many reporters as I did today. There was no inauguration ceremony. I've never received so much attention. They pay a lot of attention to soccer and words that I play. On the contrary, I'm thinking about how I can give the players a lot of this attention and focus."

-Expectations are high. Did the players say anything.

"The players met for the first time today. Let's take our time to get to know each other. To be honest, there is no pressure. I'm thinking about what kind of soccer I'll play in the opening game, how I'll prepare, and how I'll satisfy my supporters. The word "burden" is not in the head. Suwon has the biggest fandom in the K League. I'm thinking about how to get the fans on the team's side."

-I'm sure they saw Suwon fans' support.

"Last year, my wife went to the stadium because she wanted to see Suwon cheering. It's full of passion. I will work hard to satisfy them. You can come to the stadium comfortably and cheer and criticize. I hope a lot of people come."

-In Gwangju, the word 'Gwangju-like' was used a lot. How to make Suwon-like soccer.

"I'm thinking of playing soccer that I've always played. There is something I felt after I went to England. I will find a way for the players to grow quickly. If I grow up while communicating, I will play more exciting soccer than before."

-The coaches were accompanied. The reason why we brought all the divisions is unusual.

"They were willing to be with me when I started directing. There is one reason why I came with those who have fought hard. I wouldn't be here without the division. I'm confident that I'll make the best team no matter what team I'm in charge of. They also know their roles well. They are the resources to do whatever role they give."

-This is my second challenge as a professional leader. What I want to tell you is.

After last year's Korea Cup final, he said he wanted to focus only on soccer. He said he did not want to devote his energy to unnecessary environments other than soccer. I'll keep it somehow. I'll just concentrate on football."

"After today's press conference, we have to focus only on football. You have to play good soccer for your supporters. I hope you understand even if you don't hear from me."

-The rival team is.

"I think they're supporters and fans. On the one hand, it gives a lot of energy. I like it, but the players seem to feel pressured. I think it's important to get over it."

-There's also a saying that it's a hope of non-mainstreaming.

I think it's a sense of duty rather than a sense of responsibility. Even now, there are many people who don't want me to. I came to a prestigious club called Suwon. You'll look at me with more stinging eyes. I hope we can continue to see each other like that. As you break it down one by one, it gives you motivation to move forward while breaking it down. I hope that capable leaders will develop their dreams."

"Everyone makes an effort. You can't beat a person who holds out when it's hard. If you hold on, you'll get a chance. I hope you will hold on."

-It was defeated by Al Hilal in the quarterfinals of ACLE.

"Of course I'm drawing. I really want to meet Jorge Jesus (then Al Hilal) again. The players must have felt a wall as they lost 0-7 against Al Hilal. I was like that back then. But as I watched the game again, I thought I wanted to cross the wall. After the season, I'm still looking for a way while watching the EPL."

-What kind of team will Suwon make.

"I'm emphasizing the importance of the process to the players. If there is no process, players can become lazy. I'll make you think training is more important."

-What is the so-called leadership plan for the big-headed players.

"Students who are good at studying are good on their own. Even if you tell me how to do it, I'm good. Soccer is the same. I will continue to teach outstanding players how."

-What's the atmosphere and first impression of the team.

"I think I'm looking forward to it. I don't know why you're looking forward to it. That's how much I need to prepare well. I also have high expectations for the players. I think some players are afraid of me."

-What about recruiting players that can be revealed. What position are you looking at.

"The club will talk about recruiting players. Looking for a multiplayer. I'm seeing a player who can play a centre-back, a goalkeeper, a wing-forward and an attacking midfielder together."

-There are a lot of quotes. What's your resolution for the season.

"I have something to say because I'm afraid my wife will make a mistake in the interview. "Lee Cheongdeuksim (I get my heart by listening)." It's my favorite four-character idiom. It will make a bright light in life."

-What impressed me when I saw the EPL.

"I like a coach with a clear economic philosophy. There is a defensive trend. I'm the only one who knows. I watched the Chelsea game carefully. The color they were pursuing just in time was similar. I am thinking about how far I will ask Suwon players to implement it. If you give a score of 1 to 5, Chelsea is 5. Suwon decided it could do up to four."

-What message do you want to send to the world through Suwon soccer.

"I didn't make a name for myself when I was a player. I think he was a player who lacked 2 to 10 percent. I want to fill this up for the players. I want to make him start even one step ahead of me after retirement."

"I hope you live a challenging life. It's in my football. A player can make a mistake. The player grows through experience. However, there are cases where they overreact to mistakes. The same seems to be true of society. As my football, I want to show that I am not afraid of failure."

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*This content was translated by AI.