Professional soccer Jeju United’s ‘Legend’ coach Yoon Jung-hwan (50) opens the 2023 season K-League 1 prelude with love and affection for his fans.
On the 26th (Sun) at 2:00 p.m., he will visit the 2023 season K League 1 Jeju home opening game against Suwon FC at Jeju World Cup Stadium, and will personally greet his fans for the first time in a long time, such as a fan signing event, and make unforgettable memories together.
Coach Yoon Jeong-hwan made his debut in the K-League in 1995 as a member of Yugong, the predecessor of Jeju United. During his time at Bucheon SK, he played an active role as a disciple of coach Valeri Nippom Nisi. He rose to prominence in the late 1990s to the point where he was considered one of the best technicians in Korean football. He even earned the nickname ‘Jerry’ for his sensuous passing and witty play.
In 1999, he moved to Japan’s J-League Cerezo Osaka. He was active for three seasons until 2002, and his presence was so great that he not only participated in the J-League All-Star, but was also selected as one of the top 5 foreign players of all time in Cerezo Osaka by Japanese local media. Since then, he has been active in Seongnam Ilhwa (currently Seongnam FC), Jeonbuk Hyundai, and Sagan Tosu.
He also left a mark on the national team. He played a key role in the men’s national soccer team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was also selected for the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup national team. Although he did not play an active part in the finals, he left a strong impression in the minds of fans by making a big success with 1 goal and 1 help in the evaluation match against Scotland right before the opening, raising the honor of Jeju’s predecessors Yugong and Bucheon SK.
He also showed impressive presence as a leader. He started as head coach of Sagan Tosu in 2008, then became acting head coach in 2010 and then became full head coach in 2011. In December 2014, he took the helm of Ulsan Hyundai and served as K League 1 manager for two seasons.
Coach Yoon Jung-hwan, who returned to Cerezo Osaka as a leader in 2017, won the Japanese King’s Cup and the Levin Cup in his first year in office. It was all the more meaningful because it was the first title in the history of Cerezo Osaka.
Since then, he has served as a leader at Muangthong United (2019) and Jeff United (2019-2022). He has walked the path as a successful leader, along with Jeju coach Nam Ki-il, who is from Jeonshin Yugong and Bucheon SK, Pohang coach Kim Ki-dong, and Incheon coach Jo Seong-hwan. 안전놀이터
Coach Yoon Jeong-hwan was appointed as the ‘K-League Ambassador’ in January. As an ambassador, coach Yoon Jeong-hwan attends events and league matches hosted by the Korea Professional Football Federation and plays a role in promoting the K-League. Coach Yoon Jung-hwan’s first destination is Jeju, the ‘family team’.
As a club legend and K-League ambassador, he will visit the Jeju home opening game, hold a fan signing event at the event plaza near the ticket office for 30 minutes from 1:00 pm, and come down to the field just before the start of the second half to greet the fans.
Coach Yoon Jeong-hwan said, “I am very happy to visit my home team. Meeting with fans is always precious. As an ambassador, I will work harder to promote Jeju and the K-League.”