*This content was translated by AI.
Kim Hyo-beom (42), who led the professional basketball team Seoul Samsung, has departed.
Samsung General Manager Im Geun-bae conveyed the news of the split with head coach Kim Hyo-beom to StarNews in a phone call on the 27th.
Head coach Kim Hyo-beom served as a Samsung coach and interim head coach before taking the official helm of Samsung in 2024. His contract was set to expire at the end of this season. While he received high marks for communication with the team, the desired results were not achieved. Samsung failed to escape the bottom of the standings for five consecutive years.
Samsung, in its first season with Kim Hyo-beom as the official head coach, recorded 16 wins and 38 losses last season, finishing in last place (10th). This season saw the same record: 16 wins and 38 losses, finishing in last place.
The team suffered the misfortune of ace player Lee Dae-seong sustaining a long-term anterior cruciate ligament tear for the second consecutive year. Foreign player Andrew Nicholson, who had generated high expectations, showed only disappointing performances. He faced criticism not only for poor performance but also for his attitude. Samsung finished in 10th place once again after a series of setbacks.
Ultimately, Samsung decided not to renew its contract with head coach Kim Hyo-beom.
General Manager Im Geun-bae explained, "Everyone worked hard, but since we finished in last place, we felt change was necessary."
Although Samsung is known as a traditional powerhouse in the KBL, a turnaround is needed after finishing in last place for five consecutive years. Samsung is the first team in the history of domestic professional sports to finish in last place for five consecutive years. Coaches such as Lee Sang-min (currently with Busan KCC) and Eun Hee-seok have previously stepped down from the head coach position. Kim Hyo-beom was unable to create a turnaround.
While several candidates have been mentioned regarding the next head coach, nothing has been definitively decided yet. General Manager Im Geun-bae stated it is "in the process of looking into options."
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*This content was translated by AI.
