2025 K League 1 Media Day Manager Comments: Ulsan, Pohang, Gwangju, Jeonbuk | OneFootball

Everything Kim Pan-gon, Park Tae-ha, Lee Jung-hyo, and Gus Poyet, the managers of Ulsan HD, Pohang Steelers, Gwangju FC, and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors respectively said at Media Day ahead of the 2025 K League 1 season.

Opening Remarks

Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD

"Hello. Although it's late, Happy New Year. Ulsan HD will do our best to achieve a fourth consecutive K League championship in 2025, following last year's three consecutive championships. We will work hard to give our fans the double we couldn't do last year. We showed a rather poor performance in the ACL last year. This year, we will do our best to strategically accumulate quite a lot of good results in the first half of the year so that we can do better in the next ACLE and show a good performance. Then, we will participate in the Club World Cup in June. We will participate as representatives of the K League and Asian clubs, and we will do our best to show a good performance and pick up results that will make you feel the power. Thank you."

Park Tae-ha, Pohang Steelers

"Hello, Happy New Year. As you know, our team had a really hard start in 2024 and was in a situation where we could laugh at the end, but compared to last year, we had more time to prepare for this training, and since many players who were active in 2024 are with us, I feel like we can have a better synergy effect. I will prepare well with the thought that we can achieve better results than last year and win the Korea Cup for the third time."

Lee Jung-hyo, Gwangju FC

"Hello. This is Gwangju FC manager Lee Jung-hyo. I think you will be traveling a lot this year for filming, so I hope you always take care of your health and drive safely. And even though I am not good at interviews, I hope you will look at me favorably and write about me well.

"I think I am still not satisfied with the training. However, there are some areas where I am improving, so no matter which team comes in the top six, I will do my best to not fall out of the middle ranks by grabbing the trouser legs of that sixth-place team."

Gus Poyet, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

"Hello, everyone. Happy New Year. I’m very pleased to be here (as Jeonbuk manager). As you know,  Jeonbuk should be aiming to win trophies but after the last year, bad performances we need to be realistic and try to aim as high as possible - returning to probably where the fans and everybody related to Jeonbuk will like the club to be. And then, the other competitions like the Champions League Two, to try to win a trophy which it would be fantastic for everyone."

On preparing for the new K League season with ACL games to play

Gus Poyet, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

"As you know, it's very difficult, especially with the conditions of weather that will complicate our training sessions in the next few days. But, obviously, that's the job that we (managers) get paid for so we need to make sure that we plan the two games in the best possible way. And, for me as a coach, the most important decision is going to be, after the Champions League, that we need to return during the night, making decisions about how many changes you can make in the Sunday game, the first league game (against Gimcheon)."

Lee Jung-hyo, Gwangju FC

"On February 11th, we have an away match against Shandong in China. Honestly, we can’t afford to think beyond that match right now. We always plan for each match one at a time. Although there are concerns, our new players are adjusting well, so I’m optimistic. Please continue to support and watch us closely."

Park Tae-ha, Pohang Steelers

"Compared to last year, the current situation feels much happier for me. Last year, we had a lot of difficulties, especially with player availability during major ACL matches. However, this year we are more prepared, and the players are healthy. We’ll give our best effort in the February 11th match to secure a victory and build momentum for the rest of the season."

Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD

"Thanks to the excellent support from Ulsan HD, we had a great training camp in Dubai under favourable conditions. We’ve recruited strong players and built a good squad. However, the travel schedule is tight, with a match in Thailand that takes about a day and a half to travel to and back from, followed by a home game just a few days later. On top of that, we have a Wednesday game and another on Sunday, playing four matches in ten days. We’ll carefully consider our strategy and player rotations to start the season strong and perform well."

Kim Pan-gon on the pressure of being the manager of Ulsan and his viral "no mercy" speech...

"Being the head coach of Ulsan HD naturally comes with such pressure. I was brought in with the expectation of delivering results, and I see it as my duty to elevate the club’s profile. Last year, I gave a somewhat provocative speech to help the players understand their identity. This year, I expect fierce resistance from other teams trying to stop our fourth consecutive title. We’ve prepared thoroughly, from recruitment to training, to handle this challenge. We are determined to win our fourth consecutive title."

Words of warning or advice for Gus Poyet

Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD

"Well, I’ve only coached half a season myself, so I wouldn’t presume to give advice. But I warmly welcome Coach Poyet to the league. If he can bring dynamic, advanced European football to the league, it will be great for us and enjoyable for the fans."

Park Tae-ha, Pohang Steelers

"First, congratulations on joining K League, Coach Poyet. It’s genuinely challenging here. I experienced sudden challenges last year when I became head coach. Jeonbuk is a club with high expectations, and rebuilding its reputation will require a lot of work."

Lee Jung-hyo, Gwangju FC

"A tip for you: Don’t focus too much on beating Gwangju. Instead, make sure to put all your effort into beating Seoul, Pohang, Ulsan, Jeju, and Daejeon. Those are the key teams for a title run. I hope you succeed."

Gus Poyet, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

"First, thank you to the three of them. I come here to learn first. The quicker I learn about the league and the players, the styles, the better for us and relating to our club, just to help the players as much as we can to go and perform. And, in consequence, if possible, help Korean football by putting players in the national team and trying to help the country. I know my responsibilities as the only foreign coach but I understand football through pressure and I take it all the way."

On which teams will be title contenders

Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD

"Well... Let's see. Obviously, Ulsan HD will have strong competitors. I've heard that FC Seoul have done well with their player acquisitions, and Daejeon also recruited skillfully. Jeonbuk has a traditional presence in the league, and with a new coach in place, if they reorganise properly, they'll be a formidable contender.

Gimcheon Sangmu still has the best domestic squad, so they're always a tough opponent. Of course, Pohang, as always, is challenging, and Gwangju could be even more difficult. Although Gwangju's squad may not seem as strong, Coach Lee Jung-hyo is excellent at crafting a well-performing team, almost like magic. Jeju also looks dangerous this year, and I think they'll be a serious threat. The other teams will probably fight for mid-table positions."

Park Tae-ha, Pohang Steelers

"Reflecting on last year, there really was no time to rest. Looking at potential champions, Ulsan are undoubtedly the strongest contender. FC Seoul’s signings indicate their serious intent to challenge for the title.

"We will also try our best to reach the top, but whether it will work out remains to be seen. We'll do our best to compete until the very end and overcome last year’s early-season difficulties. The players are feeling disappointed, but we’ll work hard to contend until the season's conclusion.

"Gwangju, despite having many player changes, still has a great coach and can remain competitive near the top of the table. As for other teams, the competition seems quite balanced. There's little separating them below the top ranks."

Lee Jung-hyo, Gwangju FC

"In my opinion, FC Seoul and Ulsan are top contenders. Daejeon, Jeju, Jeonbuk, and Pohang could also make it into Final A. Gimcheon Sangmu and Gangwon FC could be wildcards. I think Gwangju and Suwon FC may also play important roles. It won't be easy though. We aim to hold our ground in mid-table and try to push upward. As I mentioned earlier, beating the top-tier teams like Jeonbuk is crucial to winning the title. So when it comes to Gwangju, I’d like to ask other coaches to go easy on us."

Gus Poyet, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

"Well, as you can imagine for me, it's very difficult to predict. Practically impossible, but after the great welcome from the coaches (at Media Day), and the advice given to me, why not us four in the top four, then we discuss who is the champion and who is second, third, and fourth?

Kim Pan-gon on the make-up of his squad age-wise

"We have indeed recruited young and dynamic players. That said, I believe we maintained the experienced core that brings stability and positive influence to the team. Key veteran players who contribute significantly to the team's balance have been retained.

"The players we brought in are highly skilled, fit the dynamic and controlling football style Ulsan HD strives for, and possess excellent character and integrity. Regarding the key position I mentioned earlier, I think it’s likely the striker role. If we don’t resolve that position well... the coach might face criticism for it. People might say, "It looks good on the surface but lacks substance. I hope the club selects a strong striker to complete our lineup."