Ko Jong-soo (, born 30 October 1978) is a South Korean football coach and former player.
Early life Born in Yeosu, Jeonnam, Ko graduated from Yeosu West Elementary School, Yeosu Gubong Middle School and Kumho High School.
While playing as a youth footballer for Kumho High School, Ko led his team to the title in the , one of national high school football competitions in South Korea, and was nicknamed the "Enfant terrible". His talent received attention early from South Korea's senior professional clubs, and he joined Suwon Samsung Bluewings just before his graduation.
Playing career After joining Suwon Samsung Bluewings as a founding member in December 1995, Ko showed remarkable dribbles, passes and shots which led Suwon's prime. During his era, Suwon won 13 titles including two Asian Club Championships and two K Leagues. Especially, he was named the K League Most Valuable Player after contributing to his club's first-ever league title in 1998.
Ko was also noted for his free kicks and the front and right of the penalty arc were called "Ko Jong-soo Zones" in South Korea. He scored with a memorable free kick against José Luis Chilavert when he participated in FIFA's all-star game before the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Ko was evaluated as the best Korean technician at the time, and his left foot is considered one of the greatest feet of all time in South Korea. He was expected to play for the national team in the 2002 World Cup, hosted by his country. However, he suffered a cruciate ligament injury in the 2001 season, and failed to recover his condition before the World Cup. This injury was also fatal to his playing career, and he could not show his former talent.
Managerial career Ko spent his coaching career in Suwon Samsung Bluewings from 2011 to 2017. In November 2017, Ko was appointed Daejeon Citizen manager by Kim Ho, the Daejeon Citizen president at the time and his manager during his playing career. However, he was convicted of corruption for improperly selecting an acquaintance's son for the team after the 2018 season. He received a suspended six-month prison sentence.
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 GoalsSuwon Samsung Bluewings1996K League111??30—1411997K League71??82??1531998K League193??10??2031999K League142??72??2142000K League84??53??1372001K League125??85??20102002K League204??00??2042004K League510000—51 Total9621??3212??12833Kyoto Purple Sanga (loan)2003J1 League1310031—162Jeonnam Dragons2005K League1110051—162Daejeon Citizen2007K League1111000—1212008K League1300031—161 Total2411031—282 Career total14424104315??18839
International +Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoals South Korea19971011998161199941200030200153Career total386
Results list South Korea's goal tally first. +List of international goals scored by Ko Jong-soo No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition1 25 January 1997 Sydney, Australia 2–1 3–1 1997 Opus Tournament2 29 January 1998 Bangkok, Thailand 1–0 2–0 1998 King's Cup3 5 June 1999 Seoul, South Korea 1–2 1–2 Friendly4 24 January 2001 Hong Kong 1–0 2–3 2001 Lunar New Year Cup5 27 January 2001 Hong Kong 1–0 1–1 2001 Lunar New Year Cup6 11 February 2001 Dubai, United Arab Emirates 4–1 4–1 2001 Dubai Tournament
Honours Player Suwon Samsung Bluewings K League 1: 1998, 1999, 2004 Korean FA Cup: 2002 Korean League Cup: 1999, 1999+, 2000, 2001 Korean Super Cup: 1999, 2000 Asian Club Championship: 2000–01, 2001–02 Asian Super Cup: 2001, 2002
Individual Korean League Cup top assist provider: 1997 K League All-Star: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005 K League 1 Most Valuable Player: 1998 K League 1 Best XI: 1998, 1999 Korean League Cup top goalscorer: 2000 AFC Goal of the Month: February 2001 AFC Player of the Month: March 2001
Manager Individual K League Manager of the Month: August 2018, September 2018
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