Is this the greatest K League 2 squad ever?

After another disappointing season in K League 2, the Suwon hierarchy have opened the chequebook to recruit the best available talent, on and off the pitch, to end three years of misery. The question that needs answering is simple: Have Suwon Bluewings assembled the best-ever K League 2 squad?

Suwon Samsung Bluewings begin another season in the second division following their crushing playoff defeat to Jeju. It really does feel like a long time since the gorgeous December sunshine greeted us in Seogwipo. Jeju swept past Suwon with breathtaking ease that day. 

But so much has changed for the blue half of Suwon since.

[READ: 2026 Season Preview: Suwon Samsung Bluewings]

There's a new manager, a new director, a new kit supplier, several new players, and renewed optimism. Suwon begin 2026 as overwhelming favorites, but meet one of their promotion rivals early. Seoul E-Land are the first club to visit Big Bird on Saturday, February 28. Supporters are already bursting with excitement to see manager Lee Jung-hyo reveal his first eleven. And what a squad he has to play with.

Squad Strengths

Undoubtedly, the biggest decision was the seismic appointment of Lee Jung-hyo as first-team manager. Lee built valuable experience as an assistant before taking charge of relegated Gwangju FC in early 2022. He led them to the championship in his first season, then a miraculous third-place finish back in K League 1. That was followed by an ACL Elite quarter-final, a Korea Cup semi-final, and, in December, their first-ever major final.

Lee’s stock had never been higher. There was reported interest from Japan, interviews with Jeonbuk Motors, and possible offers from China and the Middle East. After confirming he would leave Gwangju following the final defeat, managerless Suwon moved swiftly. Former Gwangju defender Aaron Calver "would love to see him coach abroad, and from what I remember when I was there, he always had the ambition to do so. We have all seen what he has produced with a small budget club, so it’s very interesting to see what he could do with a bigger budget and better players."

Suwon isn't abroad, but now he has that bigger budget.

[READ: "Players improve out of sight year-on-year!" - Is Lee Jung-hyo a football genius?]

With the manager is in place, Suwon have rebuilt a devastated and bloated squad. A raft of high-profile departures sent shockwaves through the league. Lee Ki-jae, the popular left-back, was not offered a new contract. Neither were Brazilian duo Léo Andrade and Matheus Serafim. Fans waited impatiently for news of arrivals. The rumours swirled, and then, over Christmas, came a flurry of activity.

Suwon have long needed a no-nonsense, ball-winning central midfielder to shield their hesitant defence. Despite interest from K League 1, 22-year-old Bucheon star Park Hyun-bin arrived. That defence will now be led by 43-cap Korean international Hong Jeong-ho alongside former national team defender Song Ju-hun.

Fessin has arrived from Busan IPark.

Two players arrived from MLS: goalkeeper Kim Joon-hong and Jung Ho-yeon, who previously worked with Lee at Gwangju and has also represented Korea. Fessin (Busan IPark) and Reis (Gwangju) were two more high-profile additions. Just when it seemed business was complete, Ko Seung-beom returned from Ulsan HD.

By K League 2 standards, this feels like five Christmases rolled into one.

The starting XI already looks settled, with genuine competition in almost every position. Lee favours a 4-4-2, meaning an opening-day line-up could resemble:

Kim Joon-hong in goal behind a back four of (right to left) Lee Geon-hee, Hong Jeong-ho, Song Ju-hun, and Park Dae-won. In midfield: Fessin, Jung Ho-yeon, Ko Seung-beom or Park Hyun-bin, and Bruno Silva. Up front: Big Stan alongside Reis.

That leaves strong options off the bench, including Lee Jun-jae, Kang Seong-jin, Park Ji-won, and Kim Ji-hyeon.

Depth, experience, talent — and a highly rated manager.

Squad Weaknesses

Stanislav Iljutcenko’s form dipped considerably as summer turned to autumn last season. The main striker struggled to make an impact in the bruising two-legged playoff final against Jeju SK. As a natural number nine, Iljutcenko will again be the focal point. But at 35, his best days are likely behind him. If he fails to rediscover form, Suwon’s attacking structure may suffer.

Iljutcenko is not a weakness. However, at 35 and miles on the clock, if he can't perform to his usual high standards, Suwon's attack will be muddled.

It would feel more comfortable if left-back Lee Ki-jae had stayed for another year, even as a phased-out option. He may be 34, but age has hardly deterred Suwon’s recruitment strategy. Hong is 36, Iljutcenko 35, and Reis 33. In 34 appearances last term, Lee scored three and assisted seven. Park Dae-won is viewed as his successor, though they have very different profiles — and Park is naturally a centre-back.

[READ: What does Suwon Bluewings' winter reshuffle tell us about their prospects?]

Finally, Suwon’s goalkeeping hopes rest firmly with Kim Joon-hong. Still only 22, he has serious potential, but his MLS move did not provide much game time. His back-up, Kim Min-jun, is a capable shot-stopper, but his positional awareness falls short of elite level.

Previous Champions

Rightly or wrongly, I’ve omitted Sangmu from consideration. As the sporting wing of the Army, players join to complete military service. Sangmu have no academy, cannot sign freely, and will never field foreign players.

Let’s begin with Lee’s Gwangju side. Reis was integral to that title-winning squad, so it is no surprise the manager sought a reunion. Despite scoring 12 goals, Reis did not make the Gwangju-dominated Team of the Season. Those who did included Kim Kyeong-min (still at Gwangju), Young Player of the Year Eom Ji-sung (now at Swansea), Lee Soon-min (now Daejeon captain and capped for Korea), Doo Hyeon-seok, and MVP An Young-kyu.

Reis played an influential role when Lee Jung-hyo led Gwangju to the K League 2 title.

Gwangju led from week 12 to 44, finishing 12 points clear of Daejeon Hana. They won 25 of 40 matches and lost just four — an outstanding side.

Anyang finished top in 2024. They relied on experienced second-tier professionals such as Kim Da-sol, Kim Dong-jin, Kim Jung-hyun, and Bruno Mota. Lee Chang-yong was the elder statesman at the back. It was not a vintage K League 2 season, but Anyang finished three points clear and later proved competitive in K League 1.

[READ: 2026 Season Preview: FC Anyang]

Then there is Incheon United last year. Like Suwon, they made a statement by appointing highly rated manager Yoon Jong-hwan. The squad featured top-level talent: Stefan Mugoša (Golden Boot), Gerso Fernandes (MVP), Park Seung-ho (Young Player of the Year), Kim Geon-hui, and Lee Myung-joo.

They won a competitive division by six points over Suwon Bluewings, claiming 23 victories in 39 matches. Was their performance superior to Gwangju’s? Debatable. But on paper, their squad depth was exceptional.

A final nod to the only Jeju side to compete in K League 2, back in 2020.

So, back to the original question: Have Suwon Bluewings assembled the best-ever K League 2 squad?

On paper, yes. With the possible exception of the full-back positions, they boast outfielders who have established themselves at K League level, blending former internationals with promising youngsters.

There is no certainty in football, but this squad looks capable of finishing mid-table in K League 1 — which tells you everything about their second-division prospects.

Prospects

Suwon fans would accept a one-point title win, earned through the dullest football imaginable, if it meant ending their exile. That alone would suffice.

But privately, there must be confidence — not just in winning the league, but in doing so convincingly. If this squad, under this coaching staff, cannot secure promotion, it is difficult to imagine what will.

Can the 2026 edition of Suwon Samsung finally deliver promotion?

The Bluewings faithful want away days in Jeonju, Pohang, and Seoul — not Cheongju, Paju, and Yongin.

They may never have a better opportunity.

[READ: K League's Underrated Rivalries (2026 Edition)]

Over to you, Suwon. Take the fans back to the Promised Land.