Choi Yun-kyum

Choi Yun-kyum is a South Korean football manager at K League 2 side joining recently from K3 League, Chungbuk Cheongju FC. He played in the K-League for Yukong Elephants from 1985 to 1992. After he retired, he moved into coaching, firstly as an assistant coach before moving in a head coach position. His second son, Choi Min-ho, is currently a member of the boy band SHINee.

Choi Yun-kyum
Personal information
Full name Choi Yun-kyum
Date of birth (1962-04-21) April 21, 1962
Place of birth Daejeon, South Korea
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Chungbuk Cheongju FC (Manager)
Youth career
University of Incheon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1986–1992 Yukong Elephants 153 (5)
International career
1988 South Korea U-23 (as wild card)
1987–1988 South Korea 5 (0)
Managerial career
1993–2001 Yukong / Bucheon SK (coach)
2001 Bucheon SK (caretaker manager)
2001–2002 Bucheon SK
2003–2007 Daejeon Citizen
2011–2014 Hoàng Anh Gia Lai
2015–2017 Gangwon FC
2018 Busan IPark
2019 Jeju United FC
2022– Chungbuk Cheongju FC
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
Choi Yun-kyum
Hangul
최윤겸
Hanja
崔允謙
Revised RomanizationChoe Yun-gyeom
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe Yun-kyŏm

Club career

Making his first mark on the football field, Choi Yun-Kyum made his debut in the K-League in 1985 as a Yukong Elephants defender. As a player, he appeared in 162 games. He was selected in the National Olympic Team and National A-Team, playing 5 games at international level. He also had a chance to play in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He retired as a football player in 1992.

Managerial career

After retirement, Choi decided to live the so-called "footballer's second life" by becoming a coach. He started his coaching life as a Training Coach at Bucheon SK, since renamed Yukong Elephants. Two years later, he was promoted as a Coach. Four years later, he was chosen to become the Assistant Coach. Finally, after years of diligence, Choi was appointed as Bucheon SK's head coach for the 2001 season. However, though he had no problems with the team and was able to lead it fairly well, the Bucheon SK board decided to change their manager. Bucheon SK's fans protested, but the decision wasn't reversed.

In 2003, after the poor results of their 2002 season, Daejeon Citizen selected Choi as their coach. Choi, originally from Daejeon, willingly came back to his hometown. The lack of results in 2002 was frustrating for fans and players, and confidence was low. However, Choi inspired the team and completely changed it by implementing the 4-3-3 formation. The outcome was a near miraculous recovery from 2002, and he, together with Daejeon Citizen F.C., coined the catchphrase "Miracle 2003". Daejeon Citizen finished the 2003 season in 6th place, its best finish ever in the league, and at the same improved its average home game attendance to about 18,000 people. After 2003, although Daejeon Citizen was not able to make repeat its result of 2003, Choi was still considered a hero at the Daejeon World Cup Stadium. He continued his role as manager into the 2007 K-League season, before being replaced mid-season by Kim Ho.

In addition to his excellent management skills, Choi is also famous for his humble personality - a key factor in ensuring a harmonious team. "I want to make this the team that a player chooses on his own volition, and not by my own will or force. I shall not buy abilities and just gather the best players. This will be a team played by humans, a team that players love, and a team who dreams the same dreams as the fans."

On October 10, 2011, he signed a one-year contract to V-League's Hoàng Anh Gia Lai - one of the most popular football club of Vietnam.

Choi returned to the K League 2 managing Gangwon FC in 2015. He managed to lead them to the K League 1 via the playoffs in 2016.

In 2018, Choi left Gangwon to become the manager of K League 2 team Busan IPark, but resigned after only one season after failing to gain promotion. Busan IPark finished third in the K League 2 but lost to FC Seoul in the promotion/relegation playoff final.

In 2019, Choi joined Jeju United FC, but left from the club as manager.

In 2022, Choi signed K League 2 side joining from K3 League, Cheongju FC from 2023 season.

Club career statistics

All-Time Club Performance
Club Season League League Cup AFC Champions League Total
Apps Goals Assts Apps Goals Assts Apps Goals Assts Apps Goals Assts
Yukong Elephants 1986 9 0 0 1 0 0 10 0 0
1987 27 1 0 27 1 0
1988 11 0 1 11 0 1
1989 30 1 0 30 1 0
1990 21 0 0 21 0 0
1991 37 1 0 37 1 0
1992 18 2 0 8 0 0 26 2 0
Total 1535190016251
Career totals 1535190016251

Managerial statistics

As of 8 November 2022
Team From To Record
PWDLWin %
Chungbuk Cheongju FC 8 November 2022 Present 0 0 0 0 !
Total 0 0 0 0 !
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