Ulsan Hyundai coach Hong Myung-bo (54) presented a ‘happy ending’ in front of the home fans. Negative issues faced Ulsan during the season, but it ended with the club’s first K-League win for the second time in a row. Director Hong’s leadership shined during the crisis.
Ulsan won 2-0 in the 35th round of Hana One Q K League 1 2023 against Daegu FC held at Ulsan Munsu Soccer Stadium on the 29th. Kim Min-hyuk and Jang Si-young, who were substituted in the second half, scored consecutive goals and fired off congratulations. With this victory, Ulsan recorded 70 points and confirmed an early victory with 3 games left.
Coach Hong Myung-bo, who took the helm of Ulsan in 2021, left behind excellent results of 2nd place, 1st place, and 1st place over the past three years. They have won 21 league games for three consecutive seasons, and depending on the results of the remaining games, Gyeongshindo is also within sight of the team with the most wins since its founding (23 wins in 2019).
Director Hong Myung-bo boasts a brilliant record, but his third journey was not smooth.
Even before the opening, there was a stir regarding the composition of the team. Jun Amano (Jeonbuk Hyundai) transferred at the beginning of the season, and coach Hong Myung-bo publicly criticized (Amano) for breaking his promise to the club. There was controversy, with Amano responding by saying, “There was no offer (from Ulsan).”
Then, in June, during the season, there was noise from none other than the captaincy. Park Yong-woo (Al Ain), Lee Gyu-seong, Lee Myeong-jae, Jeong Seung-hyun, and the team manager made racist comments on social media (SNS), referring to players from Thailand. The fire grew as the news spread beyond Korea to Southeast Asia. This led to the first racial discrimination-related reward and punishment committee since the launch of the K League. At that time, Park Yong-woo, Lee Gyu-seong, and Lee Myung-jae received one-game suspensions and fines. All captains were replaced.
As a headwind arose, even the strong Ulsan began to shake. Ulsan recorded 15 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses in 19 league games until June, but recorded its first consecutive loss in July, and received a report card of 5 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses in the next 15 games. Ulsan gave a boost to coach Hong Myung-bo by signing a contract extension until 2026 in August, but even coach Hong expressed difficulties ahead of the final round by honestly saying, “I don’t know what the problem is,” regarding the team’s sluggish performance.
However, coach Hong Myung-bo proudly wore a star on his chest by winning the game against Daegu, which was his most important game. After a frustrating first half, Coach Hong’s two replacement cards in the second half were both successful and resulted in goals.온라인카지노
After the game, Coach Hong Myung-bo said, “There were many issues both inside and outside the stadium, but it was a year in which I learned a lot in life,” adding, “The main characters are the players and the fans.” He continued, “I’m not interested in my career records. “What’s important is how much fun and happiness the players and coaches can have while playing soccer, and how much they can grow,” he said with a laugh.
‘Veteran’ Lee Cheong-yong said in a meeting with reporters, “There were many unexpected moments, but those problems were not solved through the efforts of just one or two people. “The manager, coaches, and players all worked together as one,” he said, repeatedly emphasizing Ulsan as a ‘one team.’
Two years ago, coach Hong Myung-bo, who took over Ulsan, brought out the slogan ‘ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL.’ Time has passed, but coach Hong Myung-bo’s Ulsan still seems to have that message in its hearts.
