Jeonbuk Goes Down Underground, No Leader Is Seen To Lead Rebound
Jul 01, 2024
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At the beginning of the brilliant modern dynasty of Jeollabuk-do, Choi Kang-hee, the current director of Shandong Taishan, was in charge. Choi, who took the helm of Jeonbuk in 2005, changed the stream of water by leading a team that was in the lower ranks to the FA Cup in 2005 and the Asian Champions League in 2006. He led from recruitment to tactics, opening the Jeonbuk era. From 2005 to 2011, and from 2013 to 2018, he completed Jeonbuk's 'A to Z' as the longest-serving coach. Choi also made the brand "Shut Up and Attack" .
Behind Choi was former general manager Lee Chul-geun. Lee, who had a relationship with Jeonbuk as secretary-general in 2005, took the post in 2006 and formed a two-top system with Choi. Lee has visited Seoul, where his headquarters are located, several times a week for more than a decade to get support from his parent company, Hyundai Motor. It drew support by explaining the complementary relationship between the soccer team and the parent company. Lee fully supports Choi and created 'Real Jeonbuk' until he stepped down in 2017.
There were Lee Dong-guk and Kim Sang-sik on the ground. The two players, who wore Jeonbuk's uniforms amid the evaluation that they were out of date in 2009, played a central role with their performance against the times. Lee Dong-gook scored double-digit points every season until he retired in 2020, keeping the front of Jeonbuk, which is full of superstars, and Kim Sang-sik also led Jeonbuk's rear until 2013. Manager Kim Sang-sik later served as a coach and manager, helping Jeonbuk lift a number of trophies.
The power of the leader who supported Jeonbuk on and off the ground was strong. Coach Choi overwhelmed the star corps with gentle and cool charisma, and general manager Lee paid attention not only to performance but also to infrastructure, making Jeonbuk the leading team. Lee Dong-gook, who maintained his quality even after the age of 40, played a role as the eldest brother, and coach Kim united the team with 'brother leadership'. It is no exaggeration to say that Jeonbuk's 'Victory DNA' was made by mixing them well.
The Jeonbuk era, which is unlikely to collapse, is coming to an end. I thought it would be bottom by this point, but it's going down to the underground. Twenty rounds have passed, but Jeonbuk's ranking is still at the bottom. Though 'no way', concerns of demotion are becoming a reality. Everyone says it's a crisis, but I can't see a clear leader who will overcome it even if I look hard. First of all, the director and general manager are 'first time'. Head coach Kim Doo-hyun's only experience was as a temporary head coach last year. Lee Do-hyun also went through basketball and archery, but it is his first time playing soccer. Due to the lack of experience of the manager and general manager, the two pillars of the club's management, it is not easy to find a breakthrough. There is no leadership to overcome the crisis.
In this case, veteran players who have experienced Jeonbuk's winning DNA should do it, but rather, they are adding fuel to the crisis. 'Captain' Kim Jin-soo was sent off for rough play every time of the crisis, and recently was fined for drinking. Choi Chul-soon is more of a supporting style than the main character, and Hong Jung-ho has long left the ground due to injury. The players' organizational power has become 's sandal'. There are rumors inside and outside that the atmosphere inside the Jeonbuk team is unusual. Jeonbuk has been falling repeatedly in the absence of a leader who will escape the big crisis. Even a prestigious sports club is ruined for a moment. There is nothing to look for from afar.
Reporter Park Chan-joon vanbasten@sportschosun.com
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
