“I am also trying to be different when it comes to map style.”
This is a message left by Nam Ki-il, manager of Jeju United (hereinafter referred to as Jeju), on Media Day ahead of the K League 1 2023 opening. Director Nam, who was called the ‘promotional contractor’ for his strong charisma, emphasized “belief” while pledging to change his leadership style.
Coach Nam Ki-il is known as a leader who leads players 카지노사이트based on strong charisma. He was called ‘Korea’s Jurgen Klopp’ tactically, and he put forward organic play and omnidirectional pressure from the entire team. He showed an excellent figure in nurturing players, and even showed off his ability to promote all three teams in charge of the baton. This is why he is called the ‘promotion contract’.
Of course, not everyone was satisfied with Nam Ki-il’s style. In particular, Yoon Bitgaram (Suwon FC), who joined Jeju in the 2022 season but left the team after a year, publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Nam’s guidance method.
Earlier, at the media day event for field training in February, coach Nam Ki-il said of Yoon Bit-garam, who left the team, “It’s a pity that we couldn’t communicate much last season. He is one of the players who studied a lot in coaching.” Then, Bitgaram Yoon replied, “The director apologized for being sorry, but what I regret is why I couldn’t do that then.” Afterwards, coach Nam said at Media Day in February, “I’m sorry I couldn’t give all the players satisfaction. As I change a lot, the players are also changing.”
Apart from this, Jeju’s prospects for this season were not bright. Joo Min-gyu (Ulsan Hyundai), Jerso (Incheon United), and Jung Woo-jae (Jeonbuk Hyundai), who were key players in the team that ranked 5th last year, left the team. Of course, there was also the good news of the recruitment of Yuri and Hayes and the joining of ‘veteran’ Ja-cheol Koo, who had successfully completed field training. Coach Nam also confidently said at the media day of the off-season training last February, “My goal is to break the two-gang structure of the Hyundai family.”
However, after drawing against Suwon FC and Daegu FC in a series of matches, Jeju bowed its head by losing in three consecutive matches (Incheon, FC Seoul, Ulsan). 5 matches, 2 draws and 3 losses. He got off to a shaky start, conceding six goals while scoring four goals. The root of the problem was that the thick defense, which was considered a strong point, broke away due to a rope injury and was unable to operate normally.
It is nine seasons, including this year, that Nam Ki-il led the team from the opening game after becoming official manager of Gwangju FC in 2015. This is the first time this year has not won until the 5th round after the double opening.
In response, coach Nam Ki-il emphasized ‘faith’ within the team. Coach Nam said ahead of the K-League 1 2023 round 6 match against Gangwon FC held at the main stadium in Songam Sports Town, Chuncheon on the 9th, “There are many injured and lacking, but we hope that we will trust each other and play.”
Did coach Nam’s ‘faith’ toward the team reach him? Despite strong winds, cold, and irregular bounds, Jeju constantly counterattacked. The winner of the fierce game was Jeju, who did not miss a goal chance. Seo Jin-soo, who was brought in as a substitute by coach Nam in the second half, scored the winning goal with a clean kick in front of three opposing defenders.
After the game, coach Nam said in an interview with the broadcaster, “The atmosphere was difficult because there were many injuries and the results of the match were not good, but the players worked hard and the results seemed to come out.” He added, “I emphasized to have faith, but it is important to send trust to each other and form a good bond.”