Chung Jung-yong Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Tactics: A New Era of Growth

Can a team maintain a "win-now" mentality while prioritizing player development? Chung Jung-yong, the newly appointed head coach of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, believes it's the only way forward. On January 6, 2026, Chung officially took the reins of the reigning K League 1 champions, promising a tactical evolution at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

Chung Jung-yong Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Strategic Vision

Following Gus Poyet's successful double-winning season, the 56-year-old Chung faces the daunting task of sustaining excellence amidst a major squad overhaul. Chung is a renowned figure in Korean football, famously leading the national team to a runner-up finish at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. His recent tenure at Gimcheon Sangmu FC saw them finish 3rd in back-to-back seasons, proving his ability to maximize talent.

"Winning and development don't have to be mutually exclusive," Chung stated during his introductory press conference. He emphasized that for a club to stay ahead of the competition, even seasoned veterans must strive for continuous improvement. This philosophy marks a slight shift from the pragmatism of previous regimes.

Tactical Overhaul and Roster Changes

Chung's tactical blueprint involves a sophisticated build-up from the back and highly aggressive fullbacks to create numerical advantages. He plans to move away from the simpler style used last year. This comes as the team says goodbye to key figures like captain Park Jin-seob and potentially Song Min-kyu, who is eyeing a European move.

Interestingly, Chung noted he will focus strictly on on-field performance, delegating player recruitment to the management. "My job is to coach my players and produce results," he said, highlighting the clear division of labor at Jeonbuk as a primary reason for joining the club.