FC Anyang's K League 1 Nominations

Yoo Byeong-hoon is in contention for the Manager of the Year Award after steering FC Anyang to safety in their debut K League 1 season. Who else from the Violets was nominated?

As reported by K League United on Thursday, “The Best XI for K League 1 will be pre-announced on the morning of the awards ceremony on Monday, December 1st. The MVP, Young Player, and Manager of the Year awards will be revealed at the ‘Hana Bank K League 2025 Awards Ceremony,’ held at 3 p.m. the same day at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Hongneung-dong, Seoul.”

[READ: Official: 2025 K League Award Nominees Announced]

2025 K League Award Nominees Announced. Credit: Kleague.

Anyang are represented in three categories: Manager of the Season, Young Player of the Season, and the Best XI.

Who made the cut?

1. Lee Chang-yong – Best XI

One of several Anyang players who went a long stretch between K League 1 appearances, Lee returned in style on opening day in Munsu. The captain led by example against his former club as Anyang absorbed heavy pressure from the three-in-a-row champions before snatching a shock win.

Lee turned 35 this summer and has made 36 appearances. He last missed a match in August and has since played nine more games, eight for the full 90 minutes.

His season’s highlight was the improbable goal he scored against Ulsan in early November. Staying forward after a cleared corner, he burst into space just inside the box. Matheus’ cross was inch-perfect, but Lee still had plenty to do—stretching out a left leg to hook the ball in. That goal effectively secured Anyang’s top-flight status.

Likelihood of selection: Not gonna happen.

2. Thomas Oude Kotte – Best XI

Consistently excellent throughout 2025, Thomas will likely attract winter interest. Having never played outside the Netherlands before joining Anyang, he now looks like a seasoned K League professional. Both Kim Jung-hyun and Han Ka-ram cited him as their most impressive and important teammate this season. He has three goals and five assists in 36 appearances.

Thomas’ versatility has been invaluable. Signed to stabilize an aging defense, he played left back and centre-back early on, but in September’s famous win over FC Seoul he was deployed in midfield—where he has remained for much of the last three months as a hybrid No. 6/8. Energetic, tough in the tackle, and an accurate passer, he has a real chance of making the Team of the Season. He also featured for Team K League against Newcastle United.

Likelihood of selection: Not gonna happen.

[READ: "I Knew We Were Not Going Down!" - FC Anyang's Han Ka-ram]

3. Bruno Mota – Best XI

Fourteen goals. Four assists. Enough said.

The worry is that he still might miss out, with Pablo Sabbag (Suwon FC) and Lee Dong-gwang (Gimcheon/Ulsan) dominating Player of the Year discussions. Regardless, Mota’s rise is remarkable. He began in K3 with Cheonan City, topped K League 2 scoring last season, and played against Newcastle this summer. A perfect signing—delivering exactly what Anyang needed.

Likelihood of selection: Not gonna happen.

4. Chae Hyun-woo – Young Player of the Year

Chae after his goal scoring exploits against Ulsan.

A difficult race to call. Chae may lose out to Lee Seung-won, whose unusual year saw him play only once for Gangwon FC but 32 times for Gimcheon Sangmu during military service, where he recorded one goal and six assists. FC Seoul’s Hwang Do-yoon is the other main contender, backed by 2,062 minutes—nearly 600 more than Chae.

Chae, the youngest of the three, has four goals—more than Hwang and Lee combined. His playing time could count against him: despite 32 starts, he has been substituted at half-time 11 times. Lee, by comparison, completed 90 minutes on nine occasions. Still, Chae missed only two matchday squads all year and featured in all but four matches. His ability to play anywhere across midfield makes him a potential Anyang star—if they can keep him.

Likelihood of selection: Not gonna happen.

5. Yoo Byeong-hoon – Manager of the Year

Brad Pitt’s “how can you not be romantic about baseball?” line fits nicely here—swap baseball for football. Yoo probably won’t beat Gus Poyet, who led Jeonbuk to a 10th championship less than a year after flirting with relegation. But Yoo’s nomination is richly deserved.

Anyang’s first K League 1 campaign ends with survival and several unforgettable moments: the opening-day win in Munsu, their first victory over rivals FC Seoul, and home wins against Gimcheon Sangmu and Ulsan HD.

Resources matter too. Few outside Korea know Yoo, while Poyet played at a World Cup, enjoyed a strong career in England, and coached in Greece. Jeonbuk boast a far deeper squad (48 players to Anyang’s 34) and a market value over twice that of city-owned Anyang. On an uneven playing field, Yoo maximized everything he had.

Likelihood of selection: Not gonna happen.

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Who missed out?

A. Kim Da-sol

A rock between the sticks. Kim Da-sol.

The veteran goalkeeper might have thought his high-profile days were behind him when he moved to Anyang 20 months ago. Instead, the 36-year-old made the K League 2 Team of the Season as Anyang earned their first promotion. Back in K League 1 for the first time since 2019, he has looked right at home—strong in the air, reliable with his shot-stopping, and a calming presence. Five clean sheets in 34 matches.

B. Kim Dong-jin

Never likely to receive a nomination, but deserving of recognition. The marauding full-back has long been a fan favorite. Injuries limited him to 22 appearances, yet he hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. He has played every minute of Anyang’s last 18 matches, recording five assists. His previous K League 1 action came in 2020—not bad for someone turning 33 next month.

[READ: No Country for Young Men; Is FC Anyang too old?]

C. Matheus Oliveira

The reigning K League 2 Player of the Season lacked the consistency to be shortlisted, but at his best he is one of the league’s most dangerous left-footed attackers. Like the team, his form dipped during the summer stretch where Anyang lost six of seven. But he helped spark the turnaround: summoned at halftime against Daejeon, he scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner. That was in August. Anyang have lost once since. Matheus ends the season with nine goals and five assists.