Jung Kyung-ho serves as the head coach of Kangwon FC in the Korea Professional Football League.
As reported by MyDaily at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, journalist Choi Byung-jin observed coach Jung Kyung-ho resorting to a 'megaphone' during a recent event.
In a significant match of the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' round 34, held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 26th, Kangwon FC faced a 2-4 defeat against FC Seoul.
This particular loss was unexpected and disheartening for Kangwon. Initially, Kangwon employed aggressive forward pressure, complicating Seoul's attack maneuvers. Their strategy involved an organized build-up, allowing them to dictate play effectively. Consequently, Kim Gun-hee found the net in the first half, and Mo Jae-hyun extended their lead with a penalty at the start of the second half.
However, starting from the 27th minute of the second half, Kangwon experienced a rapid downfall, conceding three goals within just seven minutes. Lingard's multiple strikes, followed by a comeback goal from Ryu Jae-moon, and a decisive goal by Chun Sung-hoon in the dying moments confirmed their defeat.
Following the match, an away fan handed Coach Jung a megaphone, highlighting issues beyond the recent loss to Seoul.
Kangwon's performance disparity between the first and second halves is becoming a recurring theme. Coach Jung's initial strategies appear effective, allowing Kangwon to dominate opponents early on. However, their performance declines significantly as the match progresses.
In past matches, such as the one against FC Anyang in Round 32, Kangwon led 1-0 but conceded a late equalizer. Similarly, a 2-0 lead against Daegu FC ended in a 2-2 tie. In an AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) match against Vissel Kobe, a 3-0 halftime lead turned into a 3-3 draw, although they ultimately secured a win with Kim Gun-hee's extra-time goal. These patterns of anxiety and eventual setbacks were evident in the disappointing loss to Seoul.
Fans have voiced their dissatisfaction with these performances, prompting Coach Jung to use a megaphone to apologize publicly. In a post-match press conference, Coach Jung remarked, "I understand that fans are likely more disappointed than we are. They consistently urge us to maintain our momentum in the second half. I accept responsibility and acknowledge their concerns as valid, aiming to make improvements."
Addressing the second-half performance is undoubtedly a priority, yet there are differing opinions regarding the 'megaphone' incident involving Coach Jung. Kangwon's unexpected runner-up finish last season and consistent entry into Final A for two consecutive years have raised questions about the criticism's fairness. An official from the K League pondered, "Given Kangwon's achievements and the club's resources, isn't the criticism somewhat harsh?"
Jung Kyung-ho, Kangwon FC Coach/Korea Professional Football League
A critical aspect of Seoul's comeback was the depth and quality of their substitutes. This highlights Kangwon's ongoing challenge with foreign player availability, particularly this season. In this game, while Lingard made a significant impact as a 'game changer,' Kangwon lacked foreign substitutes due to Gabriel's suspension from accumulated yellow cards. This situation poses the question of whether it is commendable to achieve such results with a primarily domestic team. An earlier official commented, "Moreover, isn't this Coach Jung's inaugural season as the head coach?" While Coach Jung must focus on enhancing second-half strategies and substitution tactics, a realistic perspective on their current circumstances is necessary.
Coach Jung also shared insights into his challenges, stating, "I am deeply engaged in analyzing our opponents," emphasizing his commitment to improvement. "Reflecting on our past, we achieved runner-up status last year and reached Final A this year, indicating clear growth. This growth applies to me as a coach as well." He acknowledged, "I understand fans' aspirations for better performances and bigger achievements. Enhancing our second-half performance is a priority. Now is the time for us to consolidate our efforts," he called for collective support.
Coach Jung also shared his complex feelings. "I am really losing sleep to analyze the opponents," he said, emphasizing, "Looking at our historical performance, we were runners-up last year and reached Final A this year. There is no doubt about our growth. The same goes for me as a coach." He continued, "I fully understand that fans want higher achievements and better performances. I will definitely improve the second-half situations. Now is the time to unite our efforts," he urged for support.