Clad in necktie in Jeonbuk FC’s symbolic color of green, manager Choi Kang-hee participated in the final match under his leadership. Players in the team also expressed their regret. When the team started leading the match 1-0 right after the opponent team, Gyeongnam FC’s Kim Hyun-joon scored an own goal at the 13th minute in the first half, Jeonbuk players moved the area around their team’s bench and made deep bows to Choi in a gesture of ceremony. In the wake of his players’ unexpected bows, Choi thumbed up in an act of response.
With a 1-1 tie match and 38th round against at its home ground of Jeonju on Sunday, Choi ended all schedules for the team after serving for 14 years. He will assume the leadership of China’s Tianjin Quanjian FC from next year. The outgoing manager enabled his team to win a total of nine trophies including six K-League championships, two AFC Champions League titles, and one FA Cup title since his inauguration in 2005.
Leaving behind his glorious days for Jeonbuk, Choi is taking on a new challenge. Tianjin Quanjian ranked ninth among the 16 teams in the Chinese pro league this past season. “I have been requested to build the team as strong as Jeonbuk,” Choi said in renewing his commitment. "I will develop a great team step by step."
Hong-Gu Kang windup@donga.com