[Official Announcement] Manager Lee Kang-cheol, '1.2 billion won → 3.4 billion won,' re-signs for 3 years → his contract value triples! 11-year partnership with KT... highest treatment in KBO history

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The KT Wiz have granted Manager Lee Kang-cheol (60), who led the team to its second regular season championship since its founding, the highest compensation package for a manager in KBO League history, extending their partnership through 2029.

On the 19th, the KT club officially announced, "We have re-signed with Manager Lee Kang-cheol on a three-year contract worth a total of 3.4 billion won."

With a signing bonus of 1 billion won and an annual salary of 800 million won, this represents the highest compensation for a manager in KBO League history. Manager Lee, who first took the helm at KT in 2019, has now signed his fourth contract with the club. After being appointed as the third manager in October 2018 on a three-year deal worth a total of 1.2 billion won, he signed his first extension for three years and 2 billion won one year before the expiration of that contract in 2020. In 2023, he received another three-year, 2.4 billion won contract, which was then the highest compensation for an active manager, and this time the total value jumped significantly to 3.4 billion won.

To that extent, KT's standing has changed completely before and after Manager Lee's arrival. KT, which entered the first division in 2015, struggled to escape the bottom of the standings, finishing last for three consecutive seasons following its founding. In his first year as manager in 2019, Lee led the team to a 71-2-71 record, achieving the club's first .500 winning percentage.

Rather than fixating solely on immediate results, he distinguished between starters and backups, organized the pitching staff, and built the team's fundamental stamina. The roles of young players also expanded, with Bae Jae-seong establishing himself as a starter and Joo Gwon growing into an elite reliever.

Results appeared quickly. In 2020, the team finished second in the regular season, securing its first postseason appearance since founding. In 2021, it swept both the regular season and the Korea Series to claim its first overall championship. In 2023, despite falling to last place early in the season, the team staged a turnaround to finish second in the regular season and reach the runner-up spot in the Korea Series. From 2020 through 2024, the team made the postseason for five consecutive seasons.

This year, the team has once again reached the pinnacle. KT secured first place in the 2026 regular season with a record of 90 wins, 5 draws, and 49 losses, for a .647 winning percentage. Both the 90th wins and the .647 winning percentage were club records for a single season. The team extended its lead over second-place Samsung Lions to eight games and capped off the season with a 10-game winning streak, a club record. Despite injuries to key position players and the simultaneous absence of two starting pitchers and the closer during the September Asian Games period, the team weathered each setback by appropriately utilizing replacement resources and existing players.

It was also a meaningful season for Manager Lee personally. Last month, he reached 600 career wins as a manager, all achieved with KT. He became only the fourth manager in history to record his first win through his 600th win with a single club, following former Haitai Tigers Manager Kim Eung-yong, former Hyundai Unicorns Manager Kim Jae-bak, and former Doosan Bears Manager Kim Tae-hyung.

KT also highly evaluated the achievements under his leadership. Under Manager Lee, the team has won two regular season titles and made six postseason appearances, transforming from the KBO's youngest club into a team that consistently competes for championships.

Lee Sun-ju, President of KT Sports, stated, "Since Manager Lee Kang-cheol took over, we have been able to demonstrate the characteristics of a consistently strong team." He added, "This year, based on his outstanding leadership, we achieved the results of making the postseason and winning the regular season. We are happy to be working again with the best manager in the KBO."

Manager Lee said, "We were able to achieve good results this year thanks to the unwavering support from the group and the club." He continued, "I am grateful to Club Chairman Park Yoon-young, the President, the club front office, the coaching staff who quietly supported us from the sidelines, and the players for re-signing me with such generous terms."

However, the 2026 season is not yet over. KT, which advanced directly to the Korea Series as the regular season champion, aims for its second overall championship in club history. Manager Lee expressed his determination, saying, "Since the season has not ended yet, we will do our best to finish this season at an even higher level." He added, "I will lead the team to become a sustainable powerhouse that continues to compete for championships."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original