5 days ago
Another quick exit by former Harimau Malaya coach Pan Gon
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Harimau Malaya coach Kim Pan Gon doesn't seem to stay with his teams for long.
After suddenly cutting short his contract with Malaysia and joining Ulsan HD, Pan Gon and the South Korean club parted way this week after barely a year.
The 56-year-old South Korean has had coaching spells with Hong Kong's Buler Rangers and the Hong Kong national team before taking over the Malaysia team three years ago.
Pan Gon began his managerial career as a player-coach with Buler Rangers from July, 2002 to July, 2004 before moving to South China FC, also in Hong Kong, from December, 2008 to December, 2010.
Pan Gon managed the Hong Kong national team from August, 2009 to March, 2010, and returned for a longer spell from November, 2012 to December, 2017.
He next took charge of Harimau Malaya from January, 2022 to July, 2024 and helmed Ulsan HD from July, 2024 to August, 2025, leading them to the K-League 1 title last year.
However, Pan Gon's fortunes turned in the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite campaign, where Ulsan lost six out of seven group matches. The team also suffered three defeats in as many matches at the 2025 Club World Cup.
Domestically, Ulsan endured a poor run with three draws and four losses in seven K-League 1 matches, resulting in mounting pressure on Pan Gon and his eventual departure.
Former Indonesia national coach Shin Tae Yong, also a South Korean, was appointed as Pan Gon's replacement on Tuesday.
