Former K League stars Jeonbuk still have no wins — and now no manager

Football

Published: 08 Apr. 2024, 12:30

Former K League stars Jeonbuk still have no wins — and now no manager

Gangwon FC defeats Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3-2 at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla on Sunday. [K LEAGUE]

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the most decorated team in the history of Korea’s top-tier professional football league, is still without a win — over one month into the 2024 K League season.

Jeonbuk fell 3-2 to Gangwon FC on Sunday at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla, failing to shed their status as the league’s only winless club.

Midfielder Moon Seon-min narrowed the defeat with a goal at 90+8 with an assist from Song Min-kyu and defender Kim Tae-hwan scored a penalty, but the home side stayed put at the bottom of the 12-team table with three total points, each weaseled from a draw.

The weekend also saw the exit of manager Dan Petrescu, who voluntarily resigned ahead of the Gangwon match after less than a year at the helm.

"It was a happy time to be with the best players and fans in the best team in Asia. I will cherish my experience, time, and affection for the team as Jeonbuk Hyundai manager in my heart and support Jeonbuk Hyundai even when I return home. Thank you again,” the Romanian manager said in a farewell message written in Korean and shared online Sunday.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' Dan Petrescu protests the referee's decision in the match against Paris Saint-Germain in Game 3 of the Coupang Play Series at Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Busan on August 3, 2023. [NEWS1]

Petrescu joined the Jeonju side as manager last June (then-manager Kim Sang-sik had resigned) and saw the club to a fourth-place finish in the league and third place in the championships playoffs, as well as a runner-up finish in the Korean FA Cup — now called the Korea Cup — in November.

Despite their relative proximity to glory in league, championship and Cup, last year was the first time Jeonbuk has failed to win a single title in a decade.

And the club has had an abysmal start to its 2024 K League season, losing three and drawing three of its six matches with six total goals.

Jeonbuk in March also let slip their spot in the AFC Champions League, losing 4-2 on aggregate to Ulsan HD in the quarterfinals, a week into the domestic season.

This comes even as Jeonbuk seemed to fortify their squad ahead of the current season after losing midfielder Paik Seung-ho to Championship side Birmingham City, scooping national team defender Kim Tae-hwan from 2023 league champions Ulsan HD and last season’s second-top scorer Tiago Orobo from Daejeon Hana Citizen. Orobo has scored once for Jeonbuk, in a 1-1 draw with Suwon FC on March 9.

Elsewhere in the league, the Pohang Steelers kept their spot at the top of the table after moving into first place after last week’s midweek action. They upped their total to 13 points after defeating No. 10 Daejeon Hana Citizen 2-1 at Daejeon World Cup Stadium in Daejeon on Sunday.

Military club Gimcheon Sangmu, the only side to win promotion from the K League 2 last season, sit in second place with 12 points following their 2-1 win against No. 8 Gwangju FC at Gimcheon Sports Complex in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang on Saturday. Gwangju are this season’s biggest losers so far, with two wins and four consecutive losses.

Ulsan sit in third after a 3-0 win over No. 9 Suwon FC at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on Saturday, claiming the biggest margin of victory and highest number of goals, with Joo Min-kyu securing the third goal at 90+6.

Jeju United defeated Incheon United 1-0 in Incheon to climb up to fourth, and FC Seoul drew 0-0 with No. 11 Daegu FC at Daegu Bank Park in Daegu, barely keeping their spot in the top half of the table.

Daegu FC's Lucas Barcellos, center, rushes for the ball during a match against FC Seoul at Daegu Bank Park in Daegu on Sunday. [YONHAP]

Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard was still M.I.A., having been sidelined due to injury after just a few uneventful appearances as a sub and side-eyed by FC Seoul manager Kim Gi-dong.

FC Seoul manager calls out Jesse Lingard: 'Fame doesn't win football games'

The 12 clubs will return to action over the weekend. On Saturday, Jeonbuk have their next chance at a win against Gwangju at home, FC Seoul meet league leaders Pohang in Seoul, Jeju face Gimcheon in Jeju and Ulsan take on Gangwon in Ulsan. On Sunday, Suwon FC will meet Daejeon in Suwon and Incheon will host Daegu.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]