Coach Hong Myung-bo, who gave Ulsan the league championship trophy for the first time in 17 years in the professional football K League 1, conveyed his mindset to prepare for the 2023 season, saying that he was going to take on a new challenge.
Director Hong said at the K-League Winter Training Media Camp held in Ulsan, “2023 is a very important year for our Ulsan to walk a new goal and a new path.”
“Last season, we started as a challenger, but this year, everyone will think that we are in a position that we must defend as champions, but we are going to take on a new challenge again. I will,” he added.
Ulsan won the K-League 1 championship last year, the second year of manager Hong’s appointment.
It is the third time in their career and has reached the top in 17 years since 2016.
Coach Hong said, “We’ve only been runners-up so far, and in a way, we’re on a new path, not knowing what to do next year after winning the championship.” “He lowered his stance.
Ahead of the new season, Ulsan recruited Joo Min-gyu, who was the top scorer in the K-League, and foreign midfielders Daryan Boyanic, Gustav Rubiksson, and Esaka Ataru to reinforce their strength.
Japanese midfielder Jun Amano moved to Jeonbuk, but most of the main players who won last year will remain with the team and will be a great help in the challenge for a second consecutive victory.
Coach Hong also said, “If many players leave and new players come in, it can take a long time in the organizational part, but it is a great advantage to be able to go while maintaining the basic framework of last year.”
Regarding the newly recruited Joo Min-gyu, he said, “No one can doubt Joo Min-gyu’s ability. It will be a great power for our team,” and predicted that he would add to Ulsan’s attacking options, including one-top and two-top.
Ulsan will start the season with an opening game against Jeonbuk on the 25th of next month.
(Photo = Provided by the Korea Professional Football Federation, Yonhap News)
