Jeonbuk coach Kim Sang-sik, who voluntarily resigned on the 4th, said goodbye to the fans with a handwritten letter.
“I’m Jeonbuk Hyundai manager Kim Sang-shikㅋㅋㅋ벳,” said coach Kim, who said, “It seems like just yesterday that I wore a Jeonbuk uniform for the first time and won my first K-League championship in 2009… As a player, coach, and manager for 15 years, I have been able to work with fans who love Jeonbuk. It was a great honor and an unforgettable memory.” He looked back on the past 15 years.
Manager Kim said, “I started with the goal of changing the team and winning ahead of the 2023 season. I was worried, but I also worked hard with the players with a lot of expectations. I feel a sense of responsibility. I feel that responsibility, so I will take responsibility and step down as manager,” he explained the background of his resignation.
He continued, “I am sincerely grateful and apologetic to our players, the front desk, and the fans who supported me for the fact that I resigned midway through the season without being able to finish the season.” I will cheer for you. I send my final greetings to the fans who love Jeonbuk through a letter. I am grateful to the fans, players, front desk, and club members.”
Jeonbuk announced on the same day, “Director Kim Sang-shik conveyed his intention to resign due to personal reasons, and the club accepted it.”
As a result, after wearing the Jeonbuk Hyundai uniform in 2009, the 15-year long journey of player-coach-manager was put to an end. Coach Kim ascended to the Jeonbuk command tower as the successor to Morais in 2021 and led the team to win the K-League 1 in 2021 and the FA Cup in 2022. However, he could not stop the sluggishness of losing 6 in 10 games at the beginning of this season, and was constantly pressured to resign from home fans. Coach Kim is said to have expressed his intention to resign several times to the club since the end of last month.
Jeonbuk added, “We plan to appoint an optimal successor manager as soon as possible to minimize the agitation of the players, and head coach Kim Doo-hyun will hold the temporary baton and act as a supervisor.”
He also said, “I will do my best to meet the expectations of the team and the fans.” Jeonbuk will go on an expedition to Seoul on the 5th in a troubled atmosphere.