Seoul: The Doosan Bears have appointed Kim Won-hyong, their former pitching coach and Korean Series champion, as their new manager following their absence from the postseason for the first time in three years.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club announced that Kim has agreed to a two-year contract with an option for a third season, valued at up to 2 billion won (US$1.4 million). Kim, who is 53, had a long career as a pitcher in the KBO from 1991 to 2010. He served as the Bears' pitching coach from 2019 to 2020, during which time the team secured the Korean Series championship in 2019. Under Kim's leadership, the Bears' pitching staff led the KBO with a 3.91 ERA over those two seasons.

Kim went on to manage the SSG Landers for three years starting in 2021. In 2022, the Landers captured the Korean Series title, making history as the first team in KBO to lead the regular season from Opening Day and win the championship. Prior to rejoining the Bears, Kim was working as the pitching coach for the South Korean national team ahead of the World Baseball Classic.

The Bears expressed confidence in Kim's abilities, stating, "Kim Won-hyong has managed a team to the Korean Series title, and he has a proven track record in developing and managing pitching staffs. We felt he was the right man to build us into a contender through healthy competition among young players."

The Bears concluded this regular season ninth out of ten teams with a 61-77-6 record, marking their first postseason miss since 2022. Former manager Lee Seung-yuop resigned in June, with Cho Sung-hwan stepping in as interim manager. Under Cho, the Bears improved their winning percentage, but it was not enough to secure a postseason berth. Despite considering Cho for the permanent role, the Bears opted for Kim's experience.

Kim expressed his gratitude and commitment in a statement, saying, "It is a huge honor to become manager of such a prestigious franchise. I am taking this job with a big sense of responsibility. The Bears have always put pressure on their opponents with their dynamic plays. I want to lead the efforts to rebuild that kind of culture within the team."