Reflection After Reflection 2023 Ended Empty-Handed

The keyword for the last game of the season was ‘reflection’.

Jeonbuk Hyundai won 3-2 against Bangkok United in the final match of Group F of the 2023-2024 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) group stage held at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on the 13th.

Jeonbuk, which ended the group stage with 12 points, rode the last train to the round of 16 with the second-best record among the top five groups in East Asia. If they had lost, they would have accepted the worst result of being eliminated from the group stage, but they achieved a final victory with a dramatic comeback win.

This game was Jeonbuk's last game in 2023. As it was the final game of the season, the majority of voices were reflecting on the year. This year, Jeonbuk ranked 4th in K League 1. This is the lowest ranking since 2009. They also finished second in the FA Cup.

Even though they were in an easy group and were evaluated as a ‘good group’, they were on the verge of being eliminated from the group stage in the ACL. The team color was not clear and the results were not even reported, so the season ended as ‘unrelated’ for the first time in 10 years. 바카라사이트닷컴

Coach Dan Petrescu, who took office midway through the season, failed to show clear tactics or direction for six months. Even considering that he did not participate in the pre-season, he seemed unable to utilize the high-quality squad properly.

Coach Petrescu said, “I was cautious since I was appointed midway. “It is difficult to discuss the whole story as it is short,” he said, adding, “Both the player and I got to know each other well. More interaction is needed.

We need a good preseason,” he said, emphasizing the need to improve perfection through winter training. As you have enough time to prepare for the new season, there will be one less excuse next season.

Song Min-gyu, a key offensive player, also said, “There are a lot of things to reflect on. It was a season that did not fit Jeonbuk’s status. “It is unimaginable not to be able to win even a single championship trophy,” he said, adding, “If you play with the Jeonbuk emblem, you must have a great sense of responsibility,” and urged the players to work hard.

The biggest task ahead of Jeonbuk is squad maintenance. This year, Jeonbuk failed in scouting to the point where there is nothing to say even though they are evaluated as the worst in recruiting players in the league.

In particular, farming for foreigners was a failing grade. Hapa Silva and Andre Luis, who were supposed to play the most important roles in the team, were dismissed early, and defender Petrasek, who came in mid-season, was also reduced to a player who was not at his best.

It should be seen as the result of mistakes made by former coach, coach Petrescu, and technical director Park Ji-sung, who oversaw player recruitment. The fundamental cause of no results despite pouring the largest amount of money in history is the failure to recruit players. Thorough reflection and more thorough recruitment are needed.

Jeonbuk is preparing for major changes. We need to fill the empty seats of Gustavo, whose contract is ending, and Jun Amano, who is returning to Japan after completing his loan. They are already close to signing Daejeon Hana Citizen striker Thiago, and are also considering recruiting Japanese players.

Andre Luis has reached a level where he can be sorted out, but it is known that Hapa Silva and Petrasek have not yet decided on their future actions. Once the existing players are eliminated, Jeonbuk plans to strengthen its strength by recruiting foreign players proven in the K League rather than new faces.

At the game that day, Jeonbuk supporters chanted slogans calling for the resignation of CEO Heo Byeong-gil. The atmosphere at the stadium still appears unorganized. In the end, the chaotic atmosphere, which inevitably affects the players, rarely subsides. Public sentiment toward Representative Heo has not been rising for so long that I can't even remember when it started.

CEO Heo is in charge of all results, including poor performance and recruitment failure. It is difficult to expect good results from a club that cannot unite not only among the team and fans, but also within the secretariat. Ultimately, it is CEO Heo's job to control the negative currents flowing inside and outside the team.