"Competition is inevitable" - Ulsan HD skipper Kim Young-gwon on new centre back additions
Ulsan HD head into the 2025 season having been busy in the winter transfer window. Several of the club's older statesmen - the likes of Joo Min-kyu, Kim Kee-hee, and Lim Jong-eun - have left with younger replacements coming in.
Speaking exclusively to K League United after the first of two 2025 K League 1 Media Days concluded on Wednesday 5th February, captain and key centre back Kim Young-gwon, when asked whether now was a good time to execute something of a generational shift, said:
"I think it's a pretty good time. Also, the players who have joined aren't just young; many of them are in the mid-to-senior range. They have experience, and some have even played for the national team, so I think that's a great advantage."
At centre back, the Horangi have clawed the much-coveted Seo Myung-kwan away from Bucheon FC 1995 and the advances of other teams, and have also added Lee Jae-ik from Jeonbuk. Kim Young-gwon says he isn't too worried about the extra competition for places:
"Of course, competition is inevitable. This is the professional stage, after all. If those players perform well, it's natural for them to get playing time. But I also have my own role and responsibilities, and I know I can contribute to the team in my own way. So I need to prepare well."
Ulsan begin the new season at home to newly-promoted FC Anyang on Sunday 16th February.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Yahoo
News: Ulsan HD Appoint Shin Tae-yong as New Manager
Ulsan HD have announced the appointment of Shin Tae-yong as the club's new manager. On August 5th, Ulsan appointed Shin Tae-yong as their 13th head coach. Just a few days earlier, on Sunday (August 3rd), the club announced the mutual termination of the contract with their 12th head coach, Kim Pan-gon. Despite winning three consecutive K League 1 titles recently, Ulsan have struggled this season. To reorganize the team and refresh the atmosphere, they have chosen Shin Tae-yong, renowned for his leadership with national teams and clubs in Korea, Indonesia, and beyond, as their next head coach. Shin Tae-yong is a K League legend. During his playing career, he was a one-club man with Seongnam Ilhwa (now Seongnam FC), appearing in 405 matches and recording 102 goals and 69 assists. He became the first player in K League history to reach both 60 goals and 60 assists in 2003. He led Seongnam to six K League titles. In 2023, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Korean professional football, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the K League Hall of Fame as a third-generation representative. After retiring, Shin began his coaching career in 2009 as caretaker manager for Seongnam. In his first season, he led the team to runners-up finishes in both the K League and the FA Cup. In 2010, he became the full-time manager and guided the team to the AFC Champions League title, followed by an FA Cup win in 2011. Recognized for his coaching skills, Shin went on to serve as a coach for the Korean national team and later managed the squads for the Rio 2016 Olympics and the U20 World Cup hosted in Korea in 2017. At the U20 World Cup, he famously led Korea to a win over powerhouses Argentina. On July 4, 2017, Shin took over the Korean national team after Uli Stielike was dismissed. Although Korea did not advance to the round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Shin orchestrated a shocking 2-0 victory over defending champions Germany in the final group stage match. This game, dubbed the 'Miracle of Kazan,' stunned the global football community. Shin's counterattacking tactics proved successful, goalkeeper Jo Hyun-woo delivered a stellar performance against a barrage of German attacks, and Kim Young-gwon scored the opening goal, igniting a historic moment. Now, seven years later, he reunites with both players at Ulsan. Shin later expanded his coaching career across Asia, becoming the head coach of the Indonesian national team in December 2019. He made history by leading Indonesia to the round of 16 at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. In 2024, he also managed the Indonesian U23 team and led them to the semifinals of the U23 Asian Cup, even defeating Korea along the way. Through this international experience, Shin played a key role in enhancing the reputation and competence of Korean coaches abroad. After parting ways with Indonesia earlier this year, Shin returned to Seongnam in April in a part-time role as general manager to help rebuild his old club. Amid this, he received an offer from Ulsan and, after much deliberation, decided to take on the challenge and help the team overcome its current struggles. New Head Coach Shin Tae-yong stated: 'When I first received Ulsan's offer, I was happy, but I also felt a lot of pressure. Ulsan have always been considered one of the strongest teams in the K League. I am convinced that if we overcome this difficult period, better days will surely come. I will dedicate all my capabilities to restoring the team's glory.' Interview Q. How do you feel about returning to the K League after 13 years and becoming the 13th head coach of Ulsan? I'm truly honored and happy to be appointed as the head coach of Ulsan HD. During my playing days, I played many matches against Ulsan and visited Ulsan Munsu Stadium quite often, but every time I came, it was always tough because they were such a strong team. I never imagined I would be coming here as a head coach. I will work hard and do my best to help both my career and Ulsan HD grow into an even more prestigious club. Q. How does it feel to return to Ulsan Munsu Stadium? As a player, I visited Ulsan Munsu Stadium quite often, but this is my first time coming here as a head coach. I have many memories of how difficult it was to play against Ulsan HD. However, now that I've been appointed as the coach, I will do my best to show our fans just how fierce and brave a team Ulsan HD can be, living up to the "tiger" image. Q. There's also interest in your reunion with former players like Jung Woo-young, Jo Hyeon-woo, Kim Young-gwon, and Lee Chung-yong. Those players, along with Lee Jin-hyun, Jeong Seung-hyeon, and Kang Sang-woo, were all with me during the Olympics. It feels great to reunite with my former players. We'll become a "One Club, One Team" together, and we'll have discussions about what areas we need to improve going forward. The players need to help us get through this difficult period, so we'll talk about how we'll build things up. Rather than jumping straight into 'Let's do this or that,' I think we need to talk a lot about how to quickly refresh the team atmosphere and move in a positive direction. Q. Since you've taken over mid-season, the key theme is 'rebound.' Any message to the fans who are waiting for that turnaround? It seems like Ulsan HD have been through a tough time after returning from the Club World Cup. But what I can say with confidence is that this is a good team, and we will bounce back. I ask the fans to be a little more patient and to believe in me, Shin Tae-yong, and support us. Even if we don't win the title, I will do my best to make sure we become a team that comes close to winning.
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Yahoo
Nantes sign Celtic midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu
Nantes have signed Celtic FC midfielder and former South Korea U23 international Kwon Hyeok-kyu (24), the Ligue 1 side has announced. Les Canaris were in the market for a defensive midfielder to bolster Luis Castro's options after the departures of Douglas Augusto and Pedro Chirivella. Kwon Hyeok-kyu has signed a three-year deal with Nantes. The 24-year-old joined the Scottish Premiership giants from Busan two years ago. He never featured with the Bhoys and was loaned out for the two previous seasons, first at St. Mirren and then at Hibernian. Kwon Hyeok-kyu was tied with Celtic over a contract set to expire in 2028. Kwon Hyeok-kyu may not be the only South Korea national to sign for Nantes this summer as Mainz midfielder Hyun-seok Hong is reportedly set to join La Maison Jaune on loan. GFFN | Bastien Cheval
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Yahoo
Dortmund's Brandt playing Club World Cup with wrist fracture
Dortmund's Julian Brandt (L) and Leipzig's Ridle Baku battle for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at the Red Bull Arena. Jan Woitas/dpa Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt revealed that he has been playing at the Club World Cup with a fracture in his left wrist since the first game. "I broke my wrist in the 10th minute against Fluminense," Brandt said after Dortmund's 1-0 win against Ulsan HD on Wednesday evening. Advertisement The international was substituted in the 58th minute against Ulsan and wore a splint on his left arm. "He will certainly have to play and train with it (the splint) for the next three months," coach Niko Kovac said. It's unclear whether Brandt will need an operation. He will undergo more detailed exams once the team returns to their headquarters in Fort Lauderdale in Florida. The player admitted that "it's worse than it looks. It's just a nasty spot because it doesn't heal well." In the last 16, Dortmund will face Monterrey on Tuesday in Atlanta.
