News: Ulsan HD appoint club legend Kim Hyun-seok as new manager

Ulsan HD have appointed former Chungnam Asan and Jeonnam Dragons manager Kim Hyun-seok as the club's new first team head coach.

Kim Hyun-seok, a Horangi club legend, has taken charge of Ulsan. On the 24th, Kim Hyun-seok was appointed as Ulsan’s 14th head coach. Known as “Mr. Ulsan” and the club’s “Eternal No.10,” the heart and legend of Ulsan has returned to his former club to help rescue it in a time of crisis.

Kim said, “I will bring together all my experiences—successes and failures alike—to help rebuild my home club. I know that there are more concerns than expectations. It won’t be easy, but it is a mission that must be accomplished. I will do my utmost to help Ulsan, where I spent my youth and most of my football life, rise again.”

From 1990 to 2003, Kim wore the Ulsan shirt for 12 seasons, excluding one year with Verdy Kawasaki in 2000, making him a true “one-club man” in K League terms, who devoted the prime of his playing career to the club.

A former international and one of the K League’s all-time greats, Kim made 373 K League appearances, scoring 111 goals and providing 54 assists (including regular season, playoffs, and League Cup). He was named to the K League Best XI six times. In 1996, he played 36 matches, recording 10 goals and nine assists (27 league matches: eight goals, eight assists; two playoff matches: one goal; seven League Cup matches: one goal, one assist), playing a pivotal role in delivering Ulsan’s first-ever championship trophy. In 1997, he won the K League Golden Boot. At Ulsan’s home ground, Munsu Football Stadium, the pillars in the South Stand feature photos from Kim’s playing days along with a record of his achievements.

After hanging up his boots at the end of 2003, Kim began his coaching career with Ulsan, serving as a reserve team coach, first-team coach, and assistant head coach from 2004 to 2012. In 2014, he took his first head coaching role at Gangneung Jungang High School, before later managing Ulsan University and serving as Head of Youth Development at Ulsan, where he focused on nurturing and identifying promising young players.

Kim also demonstrated his capabilities off the pitch. In 2022, he gained administrative experience as General Manager of Chungnam Asan. In 2024, he showcased his managerial acumen by leading Asan to the club’s first-ever runners-up finish in K League 2 and a Promotion–Relegation Playoff berth. This year, he was in charge of Jeonnam Dragons for one season.

After carefully reviewing his past dedication and achievements for the club, his understanding of Ulsan in the present, his leadership with players, and his tactical and strategic capabilities, Ulsan concluded that Kim Hyun-seok was the right man for the job. Having accumulated extensive experience both on the field and in administration, he has returned to the club where he devoted his youth, determined to give everything to restore Ulsan’s status as a powerhouse.

With the appointment of Kim Hyun-seok as head coach, Ulsan is accelerating its squad restructuring process. The club also plans to move swiftly in assembling the coaching staff and squad that will work alongside him.

via Ulsan press release