On December 24, several K League clubs announced new head coaches following disappointing seasons. Suwon Samsung Bluewings hired former Gwangju FC boss Lee Jung-hyo, while Jeju SK FC brought in Portuguese tactician Sergio Costa. Gwangju FC and Suwon FC also appointed new managers to steer their futures.
The coaching carousel spun quickly in the K League on December 24, as several clubs hired new head coaches after underwhelming seasons. Suwon Samsung Bluewings, in the second-tier K League 2, appointed Lee Jung-hyo, 50, who had led Gwangju FC until their mutual contract termination on Sunday. Suwon Samsung was directly relegated after the 2023 season and, despite finishing second in K League 2 this year to reach the promotion-relegation playoffs against Jeju SK FC, lost 0-3 on aggregate. The club dismissed head coach Byun Sung-hwan and let 10 players go without new contracts.
Suwon Samsung views Lee as pivotal, citing his success with under-resourced Gwangju FC. He won the 2022 K League 2 title with a record 86 points and 25 victories, securing promotion, and kept the team in the top flight for three more seasons. This year, Gwangju reached the Korea Cup final and the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite quarterfinals. "With his clear football philosophy, outstanding coaching skills and strong ability to develop players, we felt Lee Jung-hyo was the right person to help our club rebound," the club stated. "Our preparations for the 2026 season are in full swing. We will do everything we can to be promoted back to the K League 1 for our fans."
Gwangju FC named Lee Jung-kyu, 43, as their new head coach. He served as Lee's top assistant from 2022 to 2024 and has prior roles with university, high school, and K League 2 teams like Chungnam Asan FC and Seoul E-Land FC. This marks his first head coaching position.
Jeju SK FC, which finished 11th—second from bottom—in K League 1 and faced Suwon in the playoffs, hired Portuguese Sergio Costa. Costa was top assistant for South Korea's men's national team under Paulo Bento from 2018 to 2022 and recently with the UAE team until March this year. Jeju started 2025 with Kim Hak-bum, who resigned in September amid relegation fears; assistant Kim Jung-soo carettook and preserved top-flight status. The club praised Costa's K League knowledge from scouting trips. "Starting in 2018, I had the time of my life in South Korea... I am more motivated than ever to coach this club," Costa said.
Suwon FC, relegated to K League 2 after a playoff loss to Bucheon FC 1995, parted with Kim Eun-jung after two seasons—fifth in 2024, 10th this year—and hired Park Kun-ha, 54. Park previously coached Suwon Samsung from 2020 to 2022 and Seoul E-Land in 2016, and most recently assisted South Korea's national team.
