[Official] 'From General Manager to Head Coach': Seongnam FC appoints 'one-club man' Gimhae-un as its new commander

*This content was translated by AI.

Professional soccer club Seongnam FC in K League 2 has entrusted the on-field command to Gimhae-un (53), its general manager. This bold move represents a decisive strategy for the club's new leap forward.

On the 11th, Seongnam Club announced, "We have appointed General Manager Gimhae-un as the new head coach to fill the vacant position." The club stated, "This decision reflects the judgment that, in order to overcome current challenges and meet fans' expectations, we need someone who deeply understands the club's history and identity, and possesses unwavering dedication and responsibility toward Seongnam's emblem."

According to the club, Seongnam identified General Manager Gimhae-un as the right person to overcome difficulties and lead improvements in the team's structure. The club repeatedly requested that he take on the role of head coach.

Although General Manager Gimhae-un had already been pursuing a career in administration and initially strongly declined the head coach position to continue the club's vision, he eventually accepted the club's request after much deliberation, recognizing that he could not ignore the team's difficult circumstances and immediate challenges.

Gimhae-un, the newly appointed head coach, is a legendary goalkeeper who played exclusively for Seongnam during his playing career. After retirement, he gained experience as a coach at university teams, professional clubs, the South Korea national A-team, and the InDo Ne-si-a (CEO) team's senior coaching staff. He later served in various roles within the Seongnam Club, including Jeon Ryeok-gang-hwa (Head), before returning to the field as a "head coach."

Seongnam Club introduced Gimhae-un as the new head coach, stating, "He is recognized as a leader who fully meets all of the club's core requirements: a dynamic and mobile playing style, a tactical approach focused on controlling the game, expertise in developing promising young players, and a deep understanding of the club's situation and the characteristics of its squad."

Head Coach Gimhae-un said, "Seongnam FC is everything to my soccer career and my greatest pride. Although I initially declined the position, I could not ignore the team's difficult situation. I stand here today with a heavy heart and a strong sense of responsibility."

He added, "Building on my experience as general manager in shaping the club's long-term vision, I will establish a systematic framework for Seongnam FC that relies less on individual capabilities and more on the club and team structures. On the field, I will breathe passionately with the players and deliver enthusiastic soccer that allows fans to feel pride once again."

Meanwhile, Seongnam had been pushing to appoint a new head coach after parting ways with former head coach Jeon Kyung-jun on the 4th. Coach Jeon, who took charge of Seongnam in September 2024, led the team from last place to fifth place the following season but ultimately left the club this season after it dropped to 12th place.

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*This content was translated by AI.