Coach Kim started his professional career in Pohang in 1991 and played as a midfielder representing the K League in Jeju United's predecessors, the Elephant of Merit, Bucheon Merit, and Bucheon SK.
Since then, he has played in 501 games in the K League until he retired after moving back to Pohang in 2003, holding the second-highest field player record in the K League history.
Coach Kim, who ended his career and transformed into a leader starting with the coach of the Korean U-23 national soccer team in 2013, continued his leadership career on the K-League stage as a head coach for Pohang in 2016 and as a coach from 2019.
Coach Kim, who led the team to the top of the list for the second consecutive year in the 2019 and 2020 seasons and won the 2020 K League "Coach of the Year" and was recognized for his leadership, finished second in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League in 2021 and even lifted the FA Cup trophy this season, making him one of the best resourceful players in the K League.
"I think I achieved a lot by challenging a lot in Pohang," Kim said through his club. "But I felt the need to challenge myself in other circumstances as well. I came to Seoul to take the next step."
Head coach Kim is a leader who has excellent insight into the opponent's attack based on high-quality tactics. In addition, he is praised for implementing high-quality strategies using various data and displaying a variety of coping skills with quick judgment.
On the formation of the Seoul squad, head coach Kim said, "There are many good players. There are also players who have special characteristics, and if we combine them into one team, it will be a scary team."
He also added, "I think the defense is somewhat weaker than the offense. If I supplement that, I think it will bring good results."
Regarding the background of the appointment, the club explained, "Coach Kim, who has excellent tactics and strong leadership, was judged to be the right person to lead the change to a team that does not collapse easily, in line with the club's philosophy and direction of pursuing fun and dynamic football."
Kim is also committed to live up to expectations. "I will do my best to show that I am good at selecting myself," Kim said. "I will do my best to revive the glory of Seoul."