[Star Issue] "Not a bad performance," but DB parted ways with Kim Ju-seong... "Now looking for a new coach"

*This content was translated by AI.

Wonju DB made a bold decision. It chose to part ways with 'legend-turned-coach' Kim Ju-seong (46). The DB organization stated that the decision was made due to the expiration of his contract.

On the 24th, DB General Manager Lee Heung-seop told StarNews, "We decided not to renew the contract with Coach Kim Ju-seong as it has expired."

Previously, it was reported that the DB organization decided not to renew Coach Kim Ju-seong's contract. Coach Kim Ju-seong, who was officially appointed as head coach in 2023, was under contract through this season.

Although the split was due to contract expiration, it could be seen as surprising news. This is because Coach Kim Ju-seong has long been a 'one-club man' legend and the top star representing Wonju. He was selected as the first overall pick in the 2002 rookie draft and wore the uniform of Wonju TG Sambo, the predecessor of DB. From his professional debut until his retirement in 2018, he played for 16 seasons exclusively with one team.

As a player, Kim Ju-seong won five regular season championships and three championship finals titles. He also captured the regular season and playoff MVP awards twice. He was a top-tier star representing not only the DB organization but the entire KBL.

His start as a head coach was also promising. After retiring, Coach Kim Ju-seong served as a coach and interim head coach before signing a three-year contract with DB in 2023 to take the helm officially. From his first season as head coach, he demonstrated the leadership he showed as a player and led DB to first place in the regular league.

However, the playoff performance was disappointing. In the season where DB secured first place in the regular league, the team was eliminated in the semifinals, failing to achieve the long-awaited championship. Last season, after a fierce battle for standings with Anyang Jeonggwanjang, DB finished seventh and missed out on the Spring Playoffs.

This season, DB also collapsed in the playoffs. Although they managed to rebound to third place in the regular league, they suffered a shocking 0-3 sweep by Busan KCC in the quarterfinals. Coach Kim Ju-seong's playoff record stands at 1 win and 6 losses. Ultimately, DB made the bold choice to part ways with Coach Kim Ju-seong.

However, the organization drew a line, stating that team performance was not the decisive reason for the split. General Manager Lee Heung-seop explained, "If we had terminated the contract mid-season, it could have been due to performance responsibility, but that was not the case. Coach Kim Ju-seong did not record a performance so bad that he would have to bear responsibility. There was no specific trigger that led to the decision to part ways. Coach Kim Ju-seong's contract expired, and there were only two options: 'renew the contract or not.'"

He continued, "Ultimately, the organization decided to conclude the contract."

Regarding the next head coach, while several names have been mentioned, nothing has been finalized yet. General Manager Lee Heung-seop stated, "As a result of parting ways with Coach Kim Ju-seong, we must appoint a new coach. When a new coach arrives, the team's color may change, and new transformations may occur."

He also emphasized, "We did not extend Coach Kim Ju-seong's contract to recruit a specific person. Now we must proceed with the work of appointing a new coach."

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*This content was translated by AI.