FC Seoul manager An Ik-soo resigns after five games went winless

An Ik-soo watches a K League game between FC Seoul and the Pohang Steelers at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, western Seoul on Aug. 4. [NEWS1]

FC Seoul manager An Ik-soo resigned from his position on Tuesday after failing to secure a win in the past five league fixtures.

An said that he would leave the club on Saturday last week after FC Seoul drew 2-2 with Daegu FC and extended their winless streak to five games.

“After consideration, FC Seoul decided to accept An’s decision,” FC Seoul said in a statement published on Tuesday.

FC Seoul were having a successful run in the early days of the 2023 K League season, sitting in second place, but they ceded the position to the Pohang Steelers and slipped down to fourth.

Their defense has been a notable vulnerability, conceding 10 goals in five matches.

Even their fourth place looks shaky, as they are tied on points with fifth-place Gwangju FC. FC Seoul edge them out by goals scored — the second deciding factor when teams are tied on points.

Finishing the season in fourth place is important, as the top four teams have a chance of qualifying for the following season’s AFC Champions League.

An’s resignation came about two years after he took the helm. During his two-year spell, he has never managed to recreate the old glory days of FC Seoul.

First taking charge of the team in September 2021 — three months before the end of the 2021 season — he finished the season in seventh place.

The 2022 season also went trophyless, with Seoul losing the FA Cup final to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and finishing the season in ninth place. The capital side last won the K League in 2016 and has not finished above fourth since 2019.

Before An took the helm of the capital side, he coached multiple other teams, including the U-20 national team and Seongnam FC in the 2010s.

FC Seoul’s assistant coach Kim Jin-kyu will take charge of the team until a new manager is hired.

Kim’s side will first play a game against league leaders Ulsan Hyundai at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul on Sunday.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]