Ulsan Hyundai Tigers’ coach quits after loss

Ulsan Hyundai Tigers coach Kim Ho-gon, 61, resigned from his post yesterday, telling media that he is accountable for losing the final match against the Pohang Steelers on Sunday.

Before the match, the Steelers were trailing the league-first Tigers by two points, but the Tigers lost the match, 1-0, on an added-time goal by Steelers’ defender Kim Won-il in the 95th minute. The Tigers had been leading the league nearly all season, but they failed to clinch the league for the first time in eight years after losing their last two matches.

“As the leader of the club, I’m responsible for the results of the season,” Kim said.

In the last five seasons under Kim’s leadership, the Tigers finished in second place in the 2011 season and also became the first undefeated champions in the history of the AFC Champions League. With that title, Kim was named AFC’s Coach of the Year in 2012.

By Kwon Sang-soo