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New Ulsan HD manager hopes to right the ship after a close call with relegation last season

Published: 26 Feb. 2026, 13:36 Updated: 26 Feb. 2026, 14:10

Kim Hyun-seog, head coach of Ulsan HD FC, speaks during the K League 1 season-opening media day at the Swiss Grand Hotel Seoul in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, on Feb. 25. [YONHAP]

Ulsan HD FC is hoping to rebound from a close call with relegation last season, when the club survived by just two points after dominating the three preceding seasons with K League 1 titles.

New manager Kim Hyun-seog, a former MVP winner for the club back when he was lacing up his boots, is hoping to coast in clear waters after a tumultuous season for the dugout last year. Ex-gaffer Kim Pan-gon was sacked in a controversial manner in the summer, claiming that he'd first learned of his firing through the media. Replacement Shin Tae-yong failed to turn things around and even faced allegations that he'd physically and verbally abused his players.

Looking at his club's prospects this year, Kim on Wednesday predicted better days ahead.

"When I was offered this job, I didn't even hesitate for a second. I accepted it right away. But then I couldn't tell anyone just how much pressure I began to feel," he said. "At the time, Ulsan were like a sinking aircraft carrier and everything on top had fallen off. But we've righted the ship somewhat. If we put F-35s on top, we will be unbelievable."

Although Kim lost both of his first two matches at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite tournament earlier this month, he chose to look on the brighter side, saying, "The players understood and executed about 80 percent of their tactical instructions, and that's a positive."

While losing the likes of Gustav Ludwigson, Um Won-sang and Ko Seung-beom hurts, Kim said he expects younger players to step up to fill the void.

"I think infusing the team with young blood is the right thing to do," he said. “I believe young players will bring new energy to the club."

After an illustrious playing career that included an MVP award in 1996 for Ulsan, Kim went into coaching. He has worked his way up from high school to university to K League 2 before getting his first K League 1 gig with Ulsan.

"I am probably the only one here who started out coaching high school," Kim said. "I think it is a huge asset for me that I have an intimate understanding of players' growth and development process."

Yonhap