[Official] 'Promotion Contender to Last-Place Crisis': Jeonnam Replaces Head Coach Park Dong-hyuk with Im Kwan-sik, "Franchise Star Returns"

*This content was translated by AI.

Unlike the expectations of being a promotion contender, Jeonnam Dragons, which had been struggling in the bottom ranks and facing a crisis, is launching a turnaround effort by appointing Im Kwan-sik, a franchise star, as a fireman coach.

Jeonnam Dragons officially announced on May 1 that it has appointed Im Kwan-sik as its new head coach. Regarding the background of appointing Coach Im, the club stated, "As a franchise star who started his professional career and retired with Jeonnam Dragons, his hometown club, he enjoys deep trust and support from local fans," and added, "He is a person who understands the club's philosophy better than anyone else."

Coach Im Kwan-sik spent a total of 11 years with Jeonnam Dragons, eight years as a player and three years as a coach. In particular, having served as the head coach of K League 2's Chungnam Asan FC until recently, he has closely followed the league scene, and his ability to be immediately deployed in actual competition without a separate adaptation period was highly praised. The club expects that Coach Im's rich experience and practical sense will be a major driving force for the team's promotion challenge.

This appointment was made suddenly after the previous head coach, Park Dong-hyuk, was reassigned. Before the start of this season, Jeonnam was considered a strong promotion contender with players like Valdivia and Ho Nan still active, along with veteran resources such as Hong Won-jin, Kim Yong-hwan, and Choi Bong-jin. However, after winning the opening match, the team fell into an eight-game winless slump, managing only one win, two draws, and six losses in nine matches, plummeting to 16th place among the 17th teams in K League 2. Ultimately, the club took the drastic step of reassigning Coach Park Dong-hyuk to an advisor role on the 27th to revitalize the team's atmosphere and take back the reins.

Coach Im Kwan-sik, who has become Jeonnam's new head coach, stated through the club, "It is a great honor to be appointed as the Jeonnam coach I have long dreamed of," and added, "I will do my best to utilize all my capabilities to get the team back on track as soon as possible and achieve the goal of promotion."

He also added, "I will give my all to help the club leap forward as a prestigious team loved by the local community and fans."

Having officially declared a renewed challenge for promotion, Coach Im Kwan-sik will join the squad on May 1 and begin formal training. His official debut match is scheduled as an away game against Seongnam FC on May 10. He plans to make his first appearance in front of Jeonnam fans in a home match against Cheongju FC of Chungbuk on May 16.

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*This content was translated by AI.