FC Seoul has officially appointed former Pohang coach Kim Ki-dong (52) as its new head coach.

Seoul issued a press release at 10 a.m. on the 14th and officially announced the appointment of Kim as the 15th head coach. The club did not disclose specific terms of the contract, including the length and annual salary. Multiple sources in the soccer world believe Seoul has guaranteed Kim the highest pay for a K League manager.

Seoul played the remainder of the season under acting head coach Kim Jin-gyu after former coach Ahn Ik-soo abruptly resigned in August. After finishing seventh in the league and failing to qualify for the Final A Group, Seoul approached Kim, who has been recognized for his leadership in the K League, after the season, and saw him as the right man to turn around a team that has been in the Final B Group for four consecutive seasons.

Kim, who played for Bucheon SK (now Jeju) and Pohang as a player, took over the reins of Pohang midway through the 2019 season and led the club from mid-table to third in the league in 2020, earning the rare "Non-Winner's Coach of the Year" award. The 2021 Asian Champions League runner-up and this season's league runner-up and FA Cup winner cemented his reputation as one of the best tacticians in the K League. The league runner-up and FA Cup title were Pohang's best results since 2013. 온라인카지노

"Coach Kim Ki-dong is a leader whose strength is his excellent insight into the opponent's strategy based on a complete tactical plan," the club said, adding, "He is praised for his ability to use a variety of data to develop a high-level strategy, and for his quick judgment and eight-color response. With his excellent tactical skills and strong leadership, Seoul believes he is the right person to lead the team's transformation into a team that plays fun, dynamic soccer and, most importantly, doesn't break down easily."

"I am grateful to Seoul for choosing me, and I will do my best to show them that they made the right choice," said Kim, who will take on new challenges in a new environment. Above all, I think it is my role to recreate the glory of Seoul, and I will definitely live up to your expectations."

Kim began his professional career in Pohang in 1991, playing for Jeju's predecessors Yugong Elephant, Bucheon Yugong and Bucheon SK, where he was considered one of the best midfielders in the K League. He then switched to Pohang again in 2003, and until his retirement in 2011, he was known as an "iron man legend" in the K-League, having played 501 matches in the K-League and holding the second record for field player appearances in the K-League.

After his retirement, he became the coach of the U-23 national team in 2013 and helped them win the gold medal at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. In 2016, he became the head coach of Pohang. He has coached 171 matches in the K League and has a record of 73 wins, 50 draws, and 48 losses. Kim will begin preparations for the season after a short break.