South Korea’s Korea Football Association (KFA) has appointed Kim Eun-jung, former U-20 national team coach, to lead the men’s Olympic soccer squad at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Key Announcement from KFA
A KFA official stated, “Kim Eun-jung has been selected to guide the national Olympic team. We anticipate a strong podium performance.” The decision follows a thorough review process during a recent KFA executive meeting, positioning Kim as the top choice among candidates.
Proven Track Record
Kim boasts extensive experience across youth and senior levels. He has coached youth national teams, the senior national team, and clubs including Daejeon Hana Citizen, FC Seoul, and Jeju United.
Highlights include leading the 1998 Asian U-19 Championship alongside stars like Lee Dong-guk and Seol Ki-hyun. In the professional ranks, Kim earned 2010 K League MVP honors. He debuted for the senior national team in 2014 and facilitated player development at Tubize in Belgium in 2015. Kim also coached the 2017 Busan U-23 national team.
Leveraging this expertise, he guided South Korea to runner-up at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games AFC U-23 Championship and secured qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with eight wins. In January 2022, Kim took over the U-20 team, selecting talents like Baek Jun-ho (Stoke City), Kim Ji-su (Cerezo Osaka), Lee Yeong-jun (Grasshoppers Club Zurich), Kim Jun-hong (Suwon Samsung), Kim Myung-hak (Pohang Steelers), Lee Seung-won (Gangwon FC), and Kang Sang-yun (Jeonbuk Hyundai). The team advanced to the round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.
Afterward, Kim joined Suwon FC, excelling in the K League, and chaired the TSG committee for the Korean Professional Footballers’ Association.
Olympic Pathway and Challenges
The KFA shifted its strategy post-2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, set to begin next January, opting to run the Asian Cup and Olympic teams independently. This aims to optimize preparation for the 2028 LA Olympics, which features 12 men’s teams and fierce Asian competition.
South Korea’s Olympic soccer pinnacle remains the team medal at the 1988 Seoul Games. Despite missing Paris 2024, officials view Kim’s appointment as a strategic boost, aligning with IOC and FIFA agreements on qualification pathways.
