Jung Jo-gook (; born 23 April 1984) is a South Korean football coach and former player. He is currently the assistant coach of the K League 1 club Jeju SK.
Club career
FC Seoul In 2003, after graduating Daesin High School and its football club, Jung joined K League club FC Seoul (then known as Anyang LG Cheetahs), where he started his professional career. In his debut season, he played as a striker, scoring 12 goals during 32 appearances. He was named the league's Rookie of the Year for that year.
In 2004, Jung's performances continued at cup competitions, but did not last at the league. He once again scored double-digit goals during the season, but those included only two goals at the league. He contributed to Seoul's 2006 Korean FA Cup title, but his slump became longer after combining with frequent injuries. He scored the equaliser with a penalty in the second leg of the 2008 K League Championship final against Suwon Samsung Bluewings, but his team failed to win the league title.
During the 2010 season, Jung made clutch moments in crucial matches, achieving the league and league cup double. He had one goal and one assist in the 2010 Korean League Cup final against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, and equalised with a penalty in the second leg of the 2010 K League Championship final against Jeju United.
Auxerre After spearheading FC Seoul's run to the K League title, Jung agreed terms with French Ligue 1 outfit Auxerre. By accepting Auxerre's contract offer, he became the third Korean at the time to ply his trade in Ligue 1. On 3 January 2010, Jung signed a two-and-a-half-year deal. He made his Auxerre debut on 8 January 2011, coming on as a 62nd-minute substitute in a 2–1 Coupe de France defeat against Wasquehal. On 29 January 2011, he made his Ligue 1 debut, coming on as a 85th-minute substitute in a 2–0 defeat to Caen. In the 2010–11 Ligue 1, he mostly played as a substitute for Auxerre, scoring two goals during 15 appearances including one start.
Nancy Jung lost his first-team place at Auxerre early in the 2011–12 season, and subsequently signed for Ligue 1 rivals Nancy on 16 September 2011, on loan until the end of the season. He scored two goals for Nancy in 21 Ligue 1 appearances including three starts. After his loan deal expired, he finished his challenge in France, and returned to South Korea to prepare his mandatory military service.
Return to FC Seoul On 6 July 2012, Jung rejoined FC Seoul. On 4 November, he scored equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Suwon Samsung Bluewings, preventing the club's eighth consecutive defeat in Super Matches. On 21 November, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 win over Jeju United, where Seoul determined their league title. After contributing to Seoul's league title again, he enlisted in police's football club of the K League 2 to serve alternative civilian service.
On 26 September 2014, Jung came back to Seoul, but was pushed to the bench until the 2015 season by other strikers Park Chu-young, Adriano Michael Jackson, and Yun Ju-tae.
Enlistment in Ansan Police In January 2013, Jung enlisted in Police FC (renamed Ansan Police in 2014) after receiving a four-week basic military training. In the inaugural season of the K League 2, Police FC showed unusual rivalry with military team Sangju Sangmu. He and Police FC took second place, following Sangju Sangmu.
Jung scored 16 goals in 36 league appearances while playing for Ansan Police for one and a half years. He was discharged from Ansan in the middle of the 2014 season after finishing his alternative service.
Gwangju FC On 11 January 2016, Jung moved to another K League 1 club Gwangju FC. At Gwangju, he spent the best season of his career by scoring 20 goals in 31 league matches. At the end of the 2016 season, he was named the K League 1 Most Valuable Player in addition to the top goalscorer.
Gangwon FC After the season at Gwangju, Jung considered negotiating with J1 League club Yokohama F. Marinos, but chose Gangwon FC, which gave an offer later. He scored 16 goals in 74 league matches for three years at Gangwon, and captained the club in the 2018 season.
In a K League 1 match against Pohang Steelers on 23 June 2019, Jung was put into the field in the 58th minute when opponents held a 4–0 lead, and helped his team gain a come-from-behind victory. He provided an assist followed by the team's first goal, and scored the team's fifth goal, which became the winning goal.
Retirement In 2020, Jung spent the last year of his playing career at K League 2 club Jeju United. He was not a main player, but won the K League 2 title. At the end of the season, he retired as a player, and started his coaching career at Jeju.
International career Jung represented South Korea at the 2002 AFC Youth Championship and the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. At the AFC Youth Championship, he scored in all three matches of the knockout stage including the 1–0 final win over Japan.
Jung played for South Korea's senior national team in 13 matches including three AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in 2006.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsFC Seoul2003K League321200———32122004K League18225126——32132005K League16321100——2842006K League17431102—003072007K League1223073——2252008K League1160071—322192009K League2061140741133122010K League24111031—213013Total150461285313746422875Auxerre2010–11Ligue 11521000——1622011–12Ligue 1100000——10Total1621000——172Auxerre B2010–11National 210————102011–12National 220————20Total30————30Nancy (loan)2011–12Ligue 12021000——212FC Seoul2012K League17400———1742014K League 12010—00—302015K League 111112—62—185Total30522—62—389Ansan Police2013K League 224910———2592014K League 212700———127Total361610———3716Gwangju FC2016K League 1312000———3120Gangwon FC2017K League 118710———1972018K League 125400———2542019K League 131500———315Total741610———7516Jeju United FC2020K League 212121———142Career total3721082011531313664464142
International Scores and results list South Korea's goal tally first.
+ List of international goals scored by Jung Jo-gook No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition1 16 August 2006 Zhongshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan 2–0 3–0 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification2 6 September 2006 Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea 2–0 8–0 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification3 4–04 8–0
Honours FC Seoul K League 1: 2010, 2012 Korean FA Cup: 2015 Korean League Cup: 2006, 2010
Jeju United K League 2: 2020
South Korea U20 AFC Youth Championship: 2002
Individual K League All-Star: 2003, 2008, 2013 K League Rookie of the Year: 2003 Korean FA Cup top goalscorer: 2004 K League 1 Most Valuable Player: 2016 K League 1 top goalscorer: 2016 K League 1 Best XI: 2016
Notes
References
External links
Jung Jo-gook at KFA