Ulsan Hyundai FC has officially parted ways with head coach Kim Pan-gon, marking the end of a turbulent chapter for the K League 1 giants. The club announced on August 1, 2025, that Kim's contract was terminated by mutual agreement, citing the team's recent poor performance as the catalyst for the decision. This move comes amid an ongoing slump that has seen Ulsan fail to secure a win in 11 consecutive official matches, including seven league games, a streak unprecedented since the introduction of the promotion-relegation system in 2013.
Kim Pan-gon's final match at the helm was a 2-3 home defeat to Suwon FC on August 2, 2025, in a rescheduled 20th round K League 1 fixture at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium. Despite Ulsan's efforts to reclaim momentum, the match ended in a painful reversal, with Suwon FC’s Saric and Willian delivering the decisive blows. Ulsan initially took the lead through Cho Hyun-taek in the early minutes of the second half, only to be pegged back by Saric’s equalizer and a quick response from Go Seung-beom. Saric’s second goal and Willian’s late strike sealed a comeback victory for the bottom-placed Suwon, dashing Ulsan’s hopes of regaining a top-six league position.
Once the dominant force in Korean football, Ulsan's current league standing is a far cry from its glory days. The club, which clinched the K League 1 title three consecutive times from 2022 to 2024, now languishes in seventh place with 31 points, a full 23 points adrift of league leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai. The gap has widened alarmingly, and the specter of relegation looms as 10th-placed Suwon FC trails by just three points, having recently strung together four wins.
Kim Pan-gon's journey with Ulsan began in July 2024 when he was appointed the club’s 12th head coach during the season. His arrival was expected to steady the ship after the sudden departure of former coach Hong Myung-bo to the national team. Kim, a native of Ulsan and a former player who was part of the club’s inaugural league-winning squad in 1996, became the first Ulsan-born figure to manage the team. His appointment was met with optimism, and he quickly delivered by guiding Ulsan to their third straight league championship, securing the club’s fifth overall title.
However, the following season failed to live up to expectations. The 2025 campaign was anticipated as Kim's first full season to implement his vision, but instead, the team’s performance deteriorated. Ulsan’s struggles extended beyond domestic competition, with the club suffering a humiliating group stage exit in the AFC Champions League Elite, managing just one win against six losses. The team’s tactical approach under Kim was criticized for predictability, with opponents effectively neutralizing their strategies. Moreover, recent signings failed to adequately replace aging veterans, compounding the squad's decline.
The losing streak has shattered long-held dominance over rival clubs, with Ulsan suffering rare home defeats to teams like Daejeon, Gimcheon Sangmu, Gangwon, and Seoul—some for the first time in nearly a decade or more. These results have eroded the aura of invincibility that once surrounded the club, turning them into what some call a "record breaker" for all the wrong reasons.
Fan frustration boiled over as Ulsan supporters, known as 'Cheoyongsa,' vocally demanded Kim’s dismissal, chanting "Coach Out" at home games and even initiating a boycott of cheering activities. The tension reached a peak during the July 30, 2025, Coupang Play Series match between Team K League and Newcastle United, where Kim’s name was met with jeers and calls for his resignation.
Adding to the turmoil, Kim Gwang-guk, Ulsan’s CEO who had been at the helm since 2015, tendered his resignation amidst the crisis, signaling a shake-up in the club’s leadership. The handling of Kim Pan-gon’s departure was also criticized for its lack of smoothness, as news of Shin Tae-yong’s potential appointment leaked through media outlets before any official announcement regarding Kim’s dismissal was made. Kim Pan-gon himself reportedly learned of his sacking from the press, expressing displeasure at the manner in which the club communicated the decision.
Looking ahead, Ulsan aims to appoint its 13th head coach promptly to revive the team’s faltering spirit. Shin Tae-yong, former coach of the Indonesian national team and a notable figure in Korean football, is widely reported as the frontrunner for the role. Shin’s credentials include leading South Korea to a stunning victory over Germany in the 2018 FIFA World Cup—dubbed the "Miracle of Kazan"—and guiding Seongnam FC to AFC Champions League and Korean FA Cup triumphs. His recent tenure with Indonesia saw a remarkable upset against the South Korean U-23 squad in the 2024 Asian Cup quarterfinals.
The connection between Kim Pan-gon and Shin Tae-yong adds an intriguing twist to Ulsan’s coaching saga. In 2018, Kim, then chairman of the national team selection committee, played a pivotal role in replacing Shin with Paulo Bento as South Korea’s head coach. Now, the tables have turned with Kim exiting Ulsan and Shin poised to take over, continuing their intertwined narratives within Korean football.
Kim Pan-gon’s departure closes a chapter that began with high hopes and ended in disappointment. Reflecting on his time at Ulsan, Kim expressed regret but also gratitude, saying, "I am sorry to leave you with a less than ideal performance. I hope the club quickly returns to its rightful position and regains its glory." His farewell comes after a career that spanned from his professional debut in 1992 to becoming a celebrated coach and administrator, marked by both triumphs and challenges.
As Ulsan Hyundai looks to rebuild and reclaim its status, the appointment of a new coach will be crucial in steering the club through this period of uncertainty. The next chapter for Ulsan promises to be one of renewal and resilience, with fans and management alike eager to see the team rise from its current struggles.
