72.4% of K League Coaches Support Switch to Spring-Fall Season... Key to Uniting Opponents Is 'Winter Break' [StarNews 22nd Anniversary Special Report ①]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

① 72.4% of K League Coaches Support Switch to Spring-Fall Season... Key to Uniting Opponents Is 'Winter Break'

② It Was Not a Referee Error: What Made 93.1% of K League Coaches Angry About the Referees

Korea Football Association: "Seriously Acknowledges Coaches' Concerns on Decision Consistency... Simultaneous Use of VAR and FVS Prohibited Under International Regulations"

A survey found that seven out of ten K League coaches are positive about switching to a spring-fall season. The main response from head coaches is that the transition has become an unstoppable trend due to declining performance during extreme heat, safety concerns for players and spectators, and global trends. While some oppose the switch, most concerns can be addressed to some extent through a 'winter break'.

Among 29 K League 1 and K League 2 head coaches, 21 voted in favor of switching to a spring-fall season in a StarNews 22nd Anniversary special survey. Of the remaining eight (27.6%), five clearly expressed opposition to the transition. Two reserved judgment, and one offered other opinions.

The most frequently cited reason for supporting the switch to a spring-fall season (multiple responses allowed) was "declining performance during extreme heat," receiving 18 votes. Coaches' main opinion was that since player performance drops significantly due to hot weather, it is necessary to introduce a spring-fall schedule to avoid matches during the hottest period.

In actual matches under extreme heat, coaches expressed regret that playing during the hottest season places a heavy burden on players' physical condition, leading to conservative tactical choices and reduced performance. This ultimately creates a vicious cycle where fans visiting stadiums inevitably suffer. The decline in performance during extreme heat was identified as the primary reason K League head coaches desire a switch to a spring-fall season.

Additionally, safety concerns for spectators and players during hot weather received 16 votes, ranking second. Opinions supporting the switch due to alignment with the AFC Champions League (ACL) schedule and the European transfer market schedule received 11 and 7 votes, respectively.

A K League club coach who participated in the survey stated, "The main reason for advocating a spring-fall season is that it can protect players' health and spectator safety from extreme summer heat. Additionally, improving performance in comfortable environments, synchronizing schedules with the ACL, and aligning cycles with major European leagues to enhance K League's international competitiveness and operational efficiency were all comprehensively considered."

Another coach added, "It appears that quick deliberation and implementation are necessary for football development. Considering the decline in player performance during extreme heat and the environment for fans to cheer and watch matches, a swift decision is needed. Furthermore, aligning our season with other leagues would facilitate player transfers and recruitment, potentially driving further development."

Another coach expressed the opinion that "declining performance during extreme heat, spectator safety concerns, and alignment with the European transfer market are the main reasons for needing a switch to a spring-fall season. Ultimately, I believe we must follow global trends."

However, even among those who support the switch, opinions diverged on the timing. Of the 21st coaches who expressed support for the transition, seven stated that the change should happen as soon as possible, while 14 believed that thorough preparation, including infrastructure expansion, must come first.

A K League coach argued, "If the ground freezes in winter, the risk of injury increases. Infrastructure improvements, i.e., thorough preparation, are needed before transitioning." Another coach added, "Even if the timing for introducing a spring-fall season is somewhat delayed, it would be preferable to transition only after perfecting preparations related to infrastructure and systems, such as turf and cold-weather facilities."

Another coach also suggested that rather than switching immediately to a spring-fall season, more data should be collected, potential issues identified, and infrastructure checked.

Of course, not all K League coaches supported the switch. Among 29 coaches, eight, particularly five of them, clearly expressed opposition to the transition. The most common reason for opposing the spring-fall season was "declining performance during extreme cold," receiving five votes, followed by concerns about player injuries and a decrease in winter spectators, each with four votes.

One coach who opposed the switch warned, "Due to freezing temperatures, the ground freezes, leading to declining performance due to stadium conditions in extreme cold and problems with spectator mobilization." Another coach expressed the opinion that "switching to a spring-fall season without proper preparation for winter stadium turf, field conditions, and heating seems hasty."

Some coaches also stated, "While it aligns with global trends, it may not be feasible given South Korea's climate conditions," or "Considering our country's climate, various confirmations are needed regarding winter match operations."

Coincidentally, most coaches who supported the switch cited concerns about performance during extreme heat as their primary worry, while conversely, most coaches who opposed the switch pointed to declining performance during extreme cold as their reason for opposition. Many coaches who agreed with the transition but emphasized caution regarding timing also highlighted issues related to extreme cold.

Assuming a switch to a spring-fall season, the so-called winter break, or 'winter break,' can be key to reducing or eliminating earlier concerns related to extreme cold. The Korea Professional Football League already revealed a spring-fall transition scenario during its first public hearing in November 2024, which involved playing the first half until mid-December, taking an eight-week winter break, and resuming the second half in mid-to-late February. The J League, which has already switched to a spring-fall season, also enters a break period through a winter break during the depths of winter.

There is generally agreement on the approximately eight-week winter break period that the league virtually set in its spring-fall transition scenario. Of the 21st coaches who supported the switch, 16 (76.1%) agreed to an eight-week duration. One coach suggested, "During a long break, fan interest might decline, but this can be sufficiently maintained through active transfer market storytelling and various off-season content such as other cup tournaments during the winter period and fan participation events."

Conversely, three coaches felt that an eight-week winter break was too long. Among them, one coach specifically stated that a four-to-six-week winter break would be sufficient. Another coach expressed the opinion, "It depends on the remaining match schedule after the winter break. For example, if the winter break leads to more midweek matches and increases the risk of player injuries, I believe the break period should be shortened." There was also one coach who believed the winter break should be longer than eight weeks.

For coaches who cited performance or field conditions as reasons for opposing the switch, such a winter break could be a turning point that changes their stance. In fact, one coach who opposed the transition warned, "There would be significant problems with declining performance and spectator mobilization when the ground freezes during extreme cold," which suggests that a winter break could be the solution.

A K League club coach emphasized, "I believe switching to a spring-fall season is a natural change aimed at prioritizing the protection of players and spectators and keeping pace with global football trends. Unless there are unique and irreplaceable advantages to the existing spring-autumn system alone, it would be the right choice for K League development if the league and clubs pool their wisdom to proactively prepare for trial and error and boldly move toward an advanced system."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original