[Official Announcement] 'Promotion Contender to Bottom-Rank Collapse' Jeonnam Draws the Sword... Head Coach Park Dong-hyeok to Be Reassigned to Advisor Role — 'Drastic Measure'

*This content was translated by AI.

Park Dong-hyeok (47), head coach of K League 2's Jeonnam Dragons, who was touted as a promotion contender, will step down from his coaching duties after just nine opening matches. However, Coach Park will continue his association with the club in an advisory capacity.

On the 27th, Jeonnam announced the change in Coach Park's role through a press release. The club had previously stated, "In order to revitalize the team's atmosphere, which has underperformed expectations, we determined that a change was necessary before the gap in points with the top group widened further," thereby formalizing the split with Coach Park. However, Jeonnam subsequently explained, "Coach Park is not being dismissed; rather, he has stepped down from his head coach position through mutual agreement and has been reassigned to the role of advisor."

Additionally, Jeonnam explained its plan for appointing a new head coach, stating, "We are currently reviewing candidates with tactical proficiency as the primary evaluation criterion."

Jeonnam was considered a promotion contender before the start of this season. Key foreign attackers Valdibia and Huan remained active, and the squad boasted formidable depth with veterans Hong Won-jin, Kim Yong-hwan, and Choi Bong-jin deployed in midfield and defense.

However, contrary to expectations, Jeonnam found itself battling in the bottom ranks. After a 4-1 victory over Gyeongnam FC in the opening match, the team suffered a 2-4 defeat against Daegu FC and managed only one win, one draw, and four losses in six matches in March. They also failed to secure victories against newly formed teams Paju Frontiers FC (0-2 loss) and Yongin FC (2-2 draw).

No signs of a turnaround emerged. Following the opening win, the team fell into a winless slump over the next eight matches. In three matches in April, they recorded one draw and two losses, dropping to 16th place among the 17th teams in K League 2.

Ultimately, Coach Park Dong-hyeok relinquished the reins he took in December of last year, just about five months later. Jeonnam took the drastic step of replacing its head coach after only nine opening matches.

In response, Jeonnam stated, "Even considering the departure of agile players and the cumulative fatigue from consecutive away matches, we determined that a change was necessary," announcing the reassignment of Coach Park.

The club further added, "We are currently seeking a leader who can build trust with the team, motivate the players, and create results through unified leadership to overcome the current situation."

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*This content was translated by AI.