News: Daejeon Hana Citizen manager Lee Min-sung signs new contract

After guiding Daejeon Hana Citizen to promotion to K League 1 in 2022 Lee Min-sung has signed a new contract with the club to continue as manager.

Lee Min-sung took over at Purple Arena in December 2020 and helped guide Daejeon to third in K League 2 in 2021, reaching the Promotion-Relegation Playoff Final.

The following season Daejeon went one better and hammered Gimcheon Sangmu 6-1 over two legs to win promotion and seal a return to the top flight after seven years in K League 2.

Now that the ink is dry on Lee's new deal, the former Korean international defender can get to work on getting the team ready for the 2023 K League 1 season. 

Speaking via Daejeon Hana Citizen's official channels, Lee said:

"It was a meaningful year because we were able to give Daejeon fans that long-awaited promotion. In the 2023 season, we will do our best to bring joy to our fans with entertaining games and wins in K League 1."

No details on the length of Lee's new contract were provided.

Daejeon players throw Lee into the air after the playoff win in October 2022

Under Lee's management, Daejeon won 42 matches in the league, drew 19, and lost 21 for a win percentage of 51%. 

Overall, Lee has overseen 85 matches in all competitions, winning 43 (50.5%), scoring 142 and conceding 106.

The 2021 season was a huge disappointment for the club after a 4-2 aggregate loss to Gangwon FC in the playoffs.

Daejeon had even taken a 1-0 lead into the second leg and went 1-0 up early on to lead 2-0 on aggregate but three Gangwon goals in five minutes turned the tie completely on its head, another was then added in time added on. 

But the Purples bounced back in 2022, finishing one place higher than the year before and ending the season as the division's top scorers with 71 goals.

The runner-up spot earned Daejeon a two-leg playoff with 11th in K League 1 - avoiding a semifinal with another team in K League 2.

That pitted Daejeon against Gimcheon who they beat 2-1 in the first leg at home - despite going behind - and then 4-0 in the second.

The Daejeon squad is already back in training, having returned to their Deokam Football Center clubhouse on December 5th. 

They will spend three weeks there before departing for Pattaya in Thailand on January 23rd.

The new K League season is expected to begin on February 25th.