Huh chosen to manage Incheon
Published: 22 Aug. 2010, 22:47
News of Incheon United’s offer was leaked last week and while Huh was undecided at the time, several sources confirmed with the JoongAng Ilbo that the 55-year-old manager had all but signed with Incheon United.
Incheon United made the official announcement through a press release yesterday. Huh and Incheon Mayor Song Young-gil, who is also the president of the city-managed football club, will hold a press conference today at Incheon City Hall.
“I want to thank manager Huh Jung-moo, who has decided to take the helm at Incheon on behalf of the football fans and people of Incheon,” said Song. “Having proven his managerial skills on the international level at the 2010 South Africa World Cup, I expect him to play a big role in the development of Incheon United.”
After leading the Taegeuk Warriors to their first Round of 16 on foreign soil at the 2010 South Africa World Cup, Huh had turned down the Korea Football Association’s offer to extend his contract with the national team and has been without a team.
Incheon United has had to do with interim manager Kim Bong-kil since June 8 when former manager Illija Petkovic stepped down to returned to Serbia to tend to his ailing wife. Petkovic has since signed on with Qatari club Al Ahli Doha.
Huh’s signing will be a much welcomed change for Incheon fans. Since taking over the club on an interim basis, Kim has lost all four of his matches. Incheon sits ninth in the 15-team K-League standings with the record of six wins, one draw and nine losses as of Saturday. Incheon United is currently nine points behind the Ulsan Hyundai squad, which holds the sixth and final playoff spot with the record of eight wins, four draws and four losses.
In Huh, Incheon United gets a proven talent with the experience of managing the national team on three occasions as well as the Pohang Steelers (1993-94) and the Chunnam Dragons (1995-98, 2005-07). Huh led the Chunnam Dragons to FA Cup wins in 1997 and 2006, earning the top manager of the tourney honor in both years.
By Jason Kim [jason@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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