Jeonju: Newly appointed head coach of K League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Chung Jung-yong, emphasized the dual focus on growth and victory as he takes the helm of the South Korean football club. Despite the club's "win-now" mentality, Chung remains committed to nurturing player development alongside achieving competitive success.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Chung was introduced as the replacement for Gus Poyet, who departed in December after securing a league title and Korea Cup victory in his single season. Chung, 56, comes from a successful three-year tenure with Gimcheon Sangmu FC, where his leadership helped the team finish third in the K League 1 for consecutive years. His prior success includes leading South Korea to a runner-up finish at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Chung's reputation for developing young talent will be tested as he transitions to managing a team composed mostly of seasoned veterans. At a press conference in Jeonju, Chung articulated his philosophy that winning and player development are not mutually exclusive and stressed the importance of continuous improvement for athletes.

Chung outlined his strategic vision, planning to implement new tactics that emphasize building plays from the back and leveraging fullbacks in offensive plays. He assured flexibility in his approach, aiming to harmonize different player types and maintaining the club's competitive edge.

In addition to the coaching change, Jeonbuk is undergoing significant roster changes. Key players, including former captain Hong Jeong-ho and popular midfielder Song Min-kyu, are pursuing opportunities abroad, while others, like veteran Kwon Chang-hoon, have transferred to different clubs.

Despite these transitions, Chung expressed trust in the club's management regarding player acquisitions, highlighting a clear division of responsibilities. His focus remains on coaching and achieving results, while discussions on player signings will be handled by other executives.