Daejeon Citizen Takeover: What's Been Said?

The takeover of Daejeon Citizen Football Club by Hana Financial Group was completed on Tuesday with the banking giants set to take full control of the football club. The group has promised to try and turn the Purples into a prestigious club, as per a statement made by Executive Director Ham Youngjoo. But, what else has been said? What's the situation with Hwang Sunhong? Daejeon Citizen columnist Paul Neat takes a look at the current state of play.
(image via Daejeon City)


After Tuesday's initial announcement not a lot had been said in the media in relation to the takeover of Daejeon Citizen Football Club by Hana Financial Group. However, since then, various media outlets have spoken to representatives from Hana, the Daejeon City Government, and have even spoken to Hwang Sunhong, who has reportedly been offered the Daejeon manager's job, despite Lee Heungsil currently occupying that position. Coach Lee also has his say on the current goings on at Purple Arena.

Hana Financial Group

Ham Youngjoo, Executive Director of Hana Financial Group said: “There will be people asking why a bank are taking over a football club but Hana Financial group has consistently contributed to the development of Korean football for a long time. After taking over from Chungcheong Bank, Hana Bank has had strong connections as the main trading bank of local institutions. Along with the love, encouragement and interest from the citizen’s of Daejeon, we will work to turn Daejeon Citizen into a prestigious club.”

Daejeon City Government

Daejeon City Mayor Heo Taejung: “Thank-you to the citizens, the city council and football fans for accepting the takeover offer and supporting the transition of Daejeon Citizen into a corporate club. I repeat my apologies for not being able to disclose the details of the agreement during the negotiation process. The Daejeon Citizen board of directors and stockholders will prepare measures to provide administrative and financial support [during the transition].”

Via Pressian: Mayor Heo Taejung added:“In August after Hana Financial Group had submitted the takeover offer, two months later negotiations began. Even despite the difficult conditions, our city wanted to accept the offer so that moving forward, from the perspective of social contribution, Daejeon Citizen can become a prestigious club, and for that we send our sincerest thanks to Hana Financial Group.

“More than anyone I am sincerely thankful to the citizen’s and football fans for their full support of the transition of Daejeon Citizen into a corporate club. Throughout the negotiation process, it was a situation were details weren’t to be made public and so for their understanding and patience, I would like to thank the local media for waiting.”

Fans

Daejeon Citizen Supporters Call Leader Choi Haemoon said via Nocutnews: “Hana Financial Group have a deep love for football, and so for them to completely takeover of Daejeon Citizen, there are big expectations.”

New Manager?

On the subject of a new manager which had been reported in the media that former FC Seoul and Pohang Steelers gaffer Hwang Sunhong has been mooted for the role, Mayor Heo Taejung said to Nocutnews: “I haven’t heard anything regarding the manager position. I can’t confirm the facts.”

Hwang Sunhong

Via Sportal Korea, Hwang said: “There’s not a lot I can say on the situation. Nothing has been decided specifically. I haven’t signed a contract either. “

“If an opportunity were to arise then I would like to show the fans good football. If I were to be in charge of [the] team then I would try my best.” 

Lee Heungsil

Best Eleven caught up with Daejeon’s current manager Lee Heungsil who was overseeing a reserve team match. Lee said: “I am in favour of the City’s hierarchy being and the corporation's negotiations to turn the club into a corporate run team.

“But in relation to the talk about a manager it is different. If a club is transitioning into a corporate run team then the coaching staff might be moved on. I can understand that. But, shouldn't I be spoken to about it first before it is made public? There are supposed to be procedures but I didn’t know anything about it until I came across it [in the media].”

“All I heard was that there was to be an announcement at 3 o’clock (on Tuesday 5th November). I haven’t heard anything from the club. This is basically being replaced, isn’t it? And the season is not even finished.”