'Failed in Ulsan, but recognized again in Malaysia'... Kim Pan-gon makes final three for 'Coach of the Year'

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Pan-gon, who stepped down from Ulsan HD due to poor performance, has achieved a successful comeback in Malaysia. Taking charge of Selangor midway through the season, he delivered outstanding results and was named one of the final three candidates for the Malaysia League 'Coach of the Year' award.

Malaysian media outlet The New Straits Times reported on the 2nd (Korean time) that Adil Sharin Sahak, head coach of Kuching City who won last year's Malaysia League Coach of the Year award, was not overly excited about being nominated again.

Earlier, the Malaysia League office announced the final three candidates for this year's Coach of the Year award, recognizing those who demonstrated the best leadership during the 2025–2026 season.

The final three included last year's winner Adil, along with Siisco Munoz of Johor Darul Ta'zim and Kim Pan-gon of Selangor. Originally, ten candidates were announced, but after voting by coaches, captains, and media representatives from all 13 Malaysia League clubs, the list was narrowed down to three.

The most notable name is undoubtedly Coach Kim Pan-gon. He took charge of Selangor in January during the 2025–2026 season. After his appointment, he led the team to seven wins and three draws in ten league matches without a single loss. His final record was 16 wins, four draws, and four losses, accumulating 52 points and finishing third in the league. The gap between him and second-place Kuching City was just one point.

He also demonstrated competitiveness in cup competitions. Selangor reached the semifinals of the Malaysia Cup. In the ASEAN Club Championship Show Cup, a regional club tournament, they advanced to the final. Although they lost 1-3 on aggregate to Thai powerhouse Buriram United in the final and settled for runner-up status, it was fully recognized that Coach Kim led the team to an international final after taking charge midway through the season.

Adil's low expectations for winning this year's Coach of the Year award stem from the fact that his competitors, Munoz and Kim, have achieved remarkable results with their respective teams.

The New Straits Times explained, "Coach Munoz led Johor to achieve an unprecedented domestic quadruple crown for four consecutive seasons," and added, "Kim Pan-gon once again guided Selangor to another successful season. Selangor engaged in a fierce battle for second place in the league with Kuching City."

Adil acknowledged the achievements of both competitors. He stated, "Winning this award for the first time last year was special. However, this year's competition is extremely intense, so I am not expecting much."

He continued, "Personally, considering the results achieved by Coach Munoz and Coach Kim with their respective teams, I believe both are fully deserving of the award," and added, "Regardless of the outcome, I am grateful just to be nominated again."

The awards ceremony will be held on the 12th. Starting this year, the existing name 'National Football Awards' has been changed to 'Liga M Awards'. The timing of the event has also been delayed compared to previous years, so the ceremony for the last season is being held ahead of the 2026–2027 season kickoff.

The winner of this year's Coach of the Year award has not yet been decided. However, simply being included among the final three candidates means that Coach Kim has overcome the pain he experienced in Ulsan and has once again had his coaching abilities recognized.

Coach Kim experienced both victory and failure in Ulsan. He took charge of Ulsan as the successor to former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, who left for the South Korean national team in July 2024. Although he assumed leadership midway through the season, he led Ulsan to the top of the K League 1, completing the club's third consecutive league title.

However, the situation changed drastically during the 2025 season. Ulsan struggled to secure victories in the K League 1 and failed to meet expectations in the Korea Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. As the slump continued, Coach Kim ultimately took responsibility for the results and left Ulsan last summer.

After experiencing setbacks, Coach Kim quickly regained his coaching form by returning to Malaysia, a stage he knows better than anyone else. He is a coach with extensive overseas experience. He previously led Hong Kong's prestigious South China to the top of the Hong Kong First Division League and was named local Coach of the Year. Later, he took charge of the Hong Kong national team.

He served as chairman of the Korea Football Association's National Team Coach Selection Committee, building an administrative career. He led the selection process for former South Korean national team coach Paulo Bento and guided the national team's operational system.

In 2022, he returned as a coach by taking charge of the Malaysia national team. Coach Kim led Malaysia to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup finals for the first time since 1980, earning high praise locally. In the final group stage match of the 2023 Qatar Asian Cup, he drew 3-3 with South Korea, leaving a strong impression.

This time, he is responsible for reviving Selangor, a local powerhouse, rather than leading the Malaysia national team.

Preparations for the new season are also proceeding smoothly. Selangor won both of their first two pre-season matches recently, defeating Thailand's Rajaburi 4-0 and Hong Kong's Tai Po 1-0.

The New Straits Times further reported in another article that "Coach Kim Pan-gon is building a new identity for Selangor amidst consecutive victories."

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*This content was translated by AI.