Yoon Jong-hwan (born 16 February 1973) is a South Korean football manager and former player, who is currently the head coach of K League 1 club Incheon United.
Club career In 1995, Yoon started his professional career at K League club Yukong Elephants (renamed Bucheon Yukong in 1996 and Bucheon SK in 1997). Bucheon manager Valery Nepomnyashchy tried to realise Spanish-style football based on possession and short passing at the K League, where long passing and frontward movement were prevalent. Yoon was the best player at the club to execute Nepomnyashchy's tactics, and attracted attention with his passing skills. He helped the club win the 1996 Korean League Cup.
After leaving Bucheon at the end of the 1999 season, Yoon played for J.League clubs Cerezo Osaka and Sagan Tosu, as well as other K League clubs Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. In 2008, he retired as a player.
International career Yoon was a rare playmaker in South Korea, who had exquisite passing skills and a wide span of sight. On the other hand, he had poor stamina and physique, and evaded tussle and defensive effort the national team demanded. He participated at the 1996 Summer Olympics, the 1998 Asian Games and the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, whereas he was excluded from the FIFA World Cup. He was selected for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but did not appear in any of the seven matches.
Manageiral career Sagan Tosu Yoon was appointed technical advisor of Sagan Tosu just after his retirement as a player in 2008. He joined the club's coaching staff in 2009, was promoted to assistant coach in 2010, and finally became their manager after getting licenses in 2011. In his first season as a manager, he finished second at the 2011 J.League Division 2, leading his team to be promoted to the Division 1.
In 2014, Sagan Tosu stood atop the J.League until Yoon's unexpected departure from them on 7 August. Their board were in conflict with Yoon about the club's future direction, and terminated the contract with him early. After Yoon left the club, they fell to fifth place at the end of the season.
Ulsan Hyundai On 3 December 2014, Yoon was appointed manager of K League 1 club Ulsan Hyundai. Ulsan set goals to win a league title and qualify for the AFC Champions League. He finished seventh and fourth at the league in 2015 and 2016 respectively, falling short of these expectations.
Cerezo Osaka On 6 December 2016, Yoon joined Cerezo Osaka, newly promoted to the J1 League. He achieved a domestic cup double by winning the 2017 Emperor's Cup and the 2017 J.League Cup as well as finishing third at the league. That year, he received the J1 League Manager of the Year award.
After leaving Cerezo at the end of the 2018 season, Yoon signed for Thai League 1 club Muangthong United on 9 April 2019. He resigned from his post after recording two wins, two draws and four defeats for two months at Muangthong. He returned to Japan, managing J2 League club JEF United Chiba between 2020 and 2022. In early 2023, he worked as a football commentator of South Korean television channel Sky Sports for a short period.
Gangwon FC On 15 June 2023, Yoon moved to K League 1 club Gangwon FC, starting to replace their previous manager Choi Yong-soo. He failed to get a win in his first seven matches, but his results were gradually improved by his tactical changes. Under his guidance during the 2023 season, Gangwon succeeded in avoiding relegation, and made an expectation for the future by showing some young talents on the field. In 2024, Gangwon finished second at the league, qualifying for the AFC Champions League for the first time. Despite bringing the club's best results, he left them after a negotiation for his contract extension fell through.
Incheon United Incheon United, who were relegated to the K League 2 at the end of the 2024 season, recruited Yoon to be promoted to the first division quickly. He won the second division title the next year, accomplishing their purpose.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsBucheon SK1995K League193—50—2431996K League1503272—2541997K League722091—1831998K League16120123—3041999K League1120071—183Total68872407—11517Cerezo Osaka2000J1 League2933330—3562001J1 League2645610—32102002J2 League26230——292Total81911940—9618Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma2003K League30100—??301Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors2004K League23220110103722005K League19150121—362Total4237023110734Sagan Tosu2006J2 League41220——4322007J2 League26100——261Total67320——693Career total2882427116781038343
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSouth Korea1994101995401997501998132199930200070200120200251Total403
Results list South Korea's goal tally first. + List of international goals scored by Yoon Jong-hwan No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition1 4 December 1998 Bangkok, Thailand 3–0 4–0 1998 Asian Games2 9 December 1998 Bangkok, Thailand 1–0 2–1 1998 Asian Games3 16 May 2002 Busan, South Korea 3–0 4–1 Friendly
Honours Player Bucheon Yukong Korean League Cup: 1996
Cerezo Osaka Emperor's Cup runner-up: 2001
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma K League 1: 2003
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Korean FA Cup: 2005 K League Super Cup: 2004
South Korea AFC Asian Cup third place: 2000
Individual Korean League Cup top assist provider: 1995, 1996, 1998+ K League All-Star: 1998, 2004, 2005 J.League All-Star: 2001
Manager Cerezo Osaka J.League Cup: 2017 Emperor's Cup: 2017 Japanese Super Cup: 2018
Incheon United K League 2: 2025
Individual J1 League Manager of the Year: 2017 K League Manager of the Month: May 2024, July 2024, October 2024, April 2025 K League 1 Manager of the Year: 2024 K League 2 Manager of the Year: 2025 Korean FA Coach of the Year: 2024
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