Seo Jung-won (born 17 December 1970) is a South Korean football manager and former player, who is the head coach of Chinese Super League club Liaoning Tieren.
Playing career A winger who had explosive pace, Seo was nicknamed the "Nalssaendori", which means an agile man in Korean. He played for South Korean under-23 team in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, and scored against Sweden. He was reportedly offered a contract from FC Barcelona and other European club giants after his performances in the Olympics, but he stayed South Korea to serve a two-year mandatory military service. He also played for South Korea in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and scored the equaliser in a 2–2 draw with Spain.
After serving in Sangmu FC, Seo longed to play in Europe and left for Germany and the Netherlands to participate in tryouts. In the summer of 1997, he succeeded to contract with Portuguese club Benfica and played four pre-season games for them. However, the Korea Football Association didn't approve of his overseas employment to qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup with him.
In January 1998, Seo joined French club Strasbourg, becoming the first South Korean, and fourth Asian to play in the Ligue 1. He successfully spent his first season by contributing to their survival in the Ligue 1, but he was pushed to the bench the next season after his manager was replaced. In summer, he participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, although he got chickenpox transferred from his son. He showed unnoticeable performance during South Korea's elimination in the group stage.
In February 1999, he returned to South Korea and joined Suwon Samsung Bluewings. He led Suwon to 12 trophies including two Asian Club Championships for six years. Lastly, he played for Austria Salzburg and SV Ried in Austria. While playing in Austrian Bundesliga, he was evaluated as the best footballer in Austria by two media Kurier and .
Managerial career After South Korea's head coach Pim Verbeek resigned in July 2007, Seo entered the list for the vacant managerial position for the national team. From 2009 to 2010, he and his former national teammate and close friend, Hong Myung-bo, worked together as a part of the coaching staff for the South Korea under-20 and under-23 team. In 2010, Seo joined the coaching staff of the senior team under manager Cho Kwang-rae. Since 2012, he has been a member of the coaching staff of the Suwon Samsung Bluewings, becoming the club's manager in 2013. Under his tenure, the Bluewings finished the 2014 and 2015 seasons as runner-ups and won the Korean FA Cup in 2016. The FA Cup Final was notable as it featured Suwon Samsung Bluewings and FC Seoul, one of the biggest K League rivalries. The match went into extra time after FC Seoul scored a goal in the 93rd minute, leveling the aggregate score to 3–3 over two legs. After a scoreless extra time period, the final was decided over penalties where Suwon Samsung Bluewings won 10–9. This was Seo's first silverware of his managing career.
Personal life Seo married in 1995 and has three sons. His third son Seo Dong-han also became a forward of Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
Career statistics Club +Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsAnyang LG Cheetahs1992K League163—51—2141993K League92—20—1121994K League41—00—411995K League40—00—401996K League2760000—2761997K League6144118—2113Total661344189—8826Sangmu FC (draft)1994Semipro League — 1995Semipro League — Total — Strasbourg1997–98French Division 11241000001341998–99French Division 1401110—61Total164211000195Suwon Samsung Bluewings1999K League157 124 27112000K League222 32 2542001K League2511 80 33112002K League235 94 3292003K League431000——43102004K League15110100—261Total14336104210 18646Austria Salzburg2004–05Austrian Bundesliga12210——132SV Ried2005–06Austrian Bundesliga28710——2972006–07Austrian Bundesliga27210—62344Total55920—626311Career total2926410561196236990
International Results list South Korea's goal tally first.
+List of international goals scored by Seo Jung-won No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition1 8 September 1990 Busan, South Korea 1–0 1–0 Friendly2 23 September 1990 Beijing, China 4–0 7–0 1990 Asian Games3 7–04 27 September 1990 Beijing, China 1–0 2–0 1990 Asian Games5 2–06 28 April 1993 Ulsan, South Korea 2–1 2–2 Friendly7 15 May 1993 Beirut, Lebanon 2–0 3–0 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification8 19 June 1993 Seoul, South Korea 1–2 1–2 1993 Korea Cup9 24 September 1993 Seoul, South Korea 1–1 1–1 Friendly10 17 June 1994 Dallas, United States 2–2 2–2 1994 FIFA World Cup11 15 October 1994 Hiroshima, Japan 1–0 1–2 1994 Asian Games12 25 September 1996 Seoul, South Korea 1–1 3–1 Friendly13 22 February 1997 Hong Kong 1–0 2–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification14 14 June 1997 Suwon, South Korea 1–0 3–0 1997 Korea Cup15 16 June 1997 Seoul, South Korea 1–0 1–1 1997 Korea Cup16 28 September 1997 Tokyo, Japan 1–1 2–1 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
Managerial statistics
+ Managerial record by team and tenure Team From To Record Suwon Samsung Bluewings 12 December 2012 28 August 2018 Suwon Samsung Bluewings 15 October 2018 2 December 2018 Chengdu Rongcheng 12 December 2020 18 December 2025 Total
Honours Player Anyang LG Cheetahs Korean League Cup runner-up: 1992
Sangmu FC Korean Semi-professional League (Spring): 1994
Suwon Samsung Bluewings K League 1: 1999, 2004 Korean FA Cup: 2002 Korean League Cup: 1999+, 2000, 2001 Korean Super Cup: 1999, 2000 Asian Club Championship: 2000–01, 2001–02 Asian Super Cup: 2001, 2002
SV Ried UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2006
South Korea Asian Games bronze medal: 1990 Dynasty Cup: 1990
Individual Asian Games top goalscorer: 1990 Korean League Cup top goalscorer: 1997 K League All-Star: 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 K League 1 Best XI: 1999, 2001, 2002 Asian Super Cup Most Valuable Player: 2001 Korean FA Cup Most Valuable Player: 2002 K League 30th Anniversary Best XI: 2013
Manager Suwon Samsung Bluewings Korean FA Cup: 2016
Individual K League Manager of the Month: July 2017 Chinese Super League Coach of the Month: May 2023, October/November 2023, April 2025, August 2025
Notes
References
External links
[France Football League Player Profile]