Winning manager sacked after one year
Until the day before, even coach Kim Won-hyung, who was involved, did not know what the future would hold. He had to wait for notification from the club.
SSG Landers completed its postseason schedule on the 25th. Fall baseball ended with 3 losses in the semi-playoff series against NC Dinos. The atmosphere wasn't bad until they finished the regular season in a dramatic 3rd place, but the 3 losses in the postseason were somewhat of a shock.
As originally planned, coach Kim Won-hyung was scheduled to lead the finishing camp in Kagoshima, Japan. The Kagoshima finishing camp was prepared early on. It was planned to focus on 1.5 to 2-tier players, and if the postseason schedule was prolonged, the 2nd-tier coaching staff would lead the team, and if it ended early, coach Won-hyung Kim would take charge.
However, immediately after the semi-playoff series ended, everything ‘stopped’. The scheduled schedule, including the new player induction ceremony, proceeded normally, and employees with work naturally continued to do their jobs. However, official work was at a standstill. Plans related to the finishing camp and plans to appoint vacant positions for coaches such as Kim Min-jae, Jeong Kyung-bae, Jo Woong-cheon, and Jeong Sang-ho who were transferring to other teams were all stopped.
First of all, the club employees were also waiting for the ‘Ready’ sign. It was expected that major work would begin again from Monday and Tuesday this week, that is, the 30th and 31st. SSG's team for the Kagoshima final camp will leave the country on November 1st, but they have not yet announced the list of participating players and coaching staff.
And on the afternoon of the 31st, they announced the ‘contract termination’ of director Kim Won-hyung. Coach Kim signed a two-year contract when he first took office, and renewed his contract for three years last year, which was his second season. However, after one year had passed and there were still two years left, he had his contract terminated and was effectively dismissed.
Director Kim Won-hyung also had no idea of his fate until the day before. There was no word from the club after the series ended. There was no word, so I was waiting for notification. If I was told to prepare for the finishing camp as scheduled, there would be no change, but if not, I knew I would have to leave.
As it became known that some of SSG's coaching staff were transferring to other teams, there were baseball players who 'inquired' about manager Kim Won-hyung regarding the appointment of a new coach, but each time, he asked for his understanding, saying, "We are in a situation where we can't do anything right now." First of all, it also meant that they were waiting for a ‘signature’ from the club.
First season after winning the combined championship. SSG's performance this year clearly left something to be desired. There were also disappointments about coach Kim Won-hyung's leadership and game management abilities. However, recently, when the club's leadership was asked about coach Kim Won-hyung's retention, they responded, "For now, won't we just stay as is next year?" That is why this decision is somewhat unconventional.
There is concern among some baseball players that "Kim Won-hyung was not the coach chosen by SSG, but the coach chosen by SK Wyverns. If he had not won last year, he would not have been able to renew his contract. His performance in the second half of this year was so poor that I wonder if he will quit after this." However, the prevailing opinion was, “No matter what, it is the first season of a three-year contract, so it will not be a disaster right away.” However, the aftermath of the postseason shock ultimately led to a change of coach.
SSG club emphasized innovation and change. After 'contract termination' of the winning coach after one year, more attention is being paid to SSG Landers' next move.