[Interview] FC Mokpo Coach Jeong Hyun-ho: "I Want to Build a Team United Closely with the Local Community"

FC Mokpo Head Coach Jeong Hyeonho (Photo by Park Gidong)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Ki-dong] Mokpo City Hall Football Team, which achieved the 2017 Hana Bank FA Cup semifinal miracle, is preparing for the opening match by establishing a separate independent corporation and newly founding the team under the name ‘FC Mokpo’ according to the Korea Professional Football League’s league participation policy.

Coach Jeong Hyun-ho, who will lead FC Mokpo, is a native of Mokpo. He served as the founding head coach of the Mokpo City Hall football team for about 4 years and 6 months, then worked as a coach in China for 3 years before returning to his hometown and taking the position of head coach last year.

We met with Coach Jeong Hyun-ho, who is preparing for the first season under the new team name FC Mokpo.

The following is a Q&A with Coach Jeong Hyun-ho.

◇ What are your goals for the first season after changing the team name?

▲ Despite difficult conditions, I want to achieve a mid-to-upper tier ranking similar to last season. Even with limited finances, I believe that if the players and local residents work together, we can achieve good results.

My goal is to promote my hometown Mokpo through football and to nurture players who come to mind when thinking of Mokpo, just like Koo Seong-yong from Gwangju, Son Heung-min from Chuncheon, and Park Ji-sung from Suwon. In particular, I want to create a team that is closely connected with the local community and united as one. I want to play aggressive, enjoyable, and happy football so that citizens will come to the football stadium.

◇ What about player recruitment?

▲ Last season, out of a squad of 27, we selected 9 players from the local area, and this year we again selected 2 local players. We successfully renewed the contract with Kim Dong-wook (a Mokpo native), who was the second top scorer in the K3 League last season, and we aim to make him a franchise star. This year, the season will be played with 6 coaches (including the team doctor) and 28 players.

◇ Do you feel any pressure regarding the 2020 season’s performance?

▲ Last year, luck played a bigger role than skill. Before the last 5 games that decided the upper split, we were in 11th place, and if we had lost just one game, we would have been relegated to the lower split. However, we defeated strong teams consecutively, winning 5 straight games, passing the upper split as 7th place, and ultimately finishing 5th.

This year is the first season under the new team name, and there is pressure to maintain last season’s performance. Due to COVID-19, we were unable to play many practice matches during winter training, so I am worried about the players’ match fitness.

◇ What kind of football does Coach Jeong Hyun-ho prefer?

▲ When you think of Jeonbuk Hyundai, you think of ‘Dakgong’ (literally ‘shut up and attack’). I want to transform FC Mokpo into a team that plays very tenacious football.

◇ You face the strong team Gimhae City Hall in the opening match. What is your mindset?

▲ It is a very challenging match. Matches against last year’s champions Gimhae City Hall have always been tough. Even if you lose one game in football, it can affect the next game, and since the next game after the opening match against Gimhae is the home opener, the pressure I feel as a coach is considerable. Even if we lose, I want to lose while playing well.

◇ What do you expect from the players?

▲ This year, we have to play 30 regular league matches and at least 10 more including cup competitions. Considering the small squad size relative to the number of matches, I think the players will be physically challenged. I especially want them to be careful about injuries and to manage well off the pitch as well.

◇ What message would you like to give to FC Mokpo fans?

▲ FC Mokpo will play the league opening match against Gimhae City Hall in Gimhae on the 13th, and the home opener against Gimpo FC at the Mokpo Football Center on the 20th. One week later, on the 27th, we will also play the third round of the Hana Bank FA Cup against Gimpo FC at the Mokpo Football Center.

We aim to recreate the 2017 semifinal miracle. We ask for the local community’s great interest and support for FC Mokpo’s new challenge in the professional league.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.