A large number of SK coaches are being liquidated, even coach Kim Won-hyung is out… SSG’s ‘Color Clear’

 The prescription for SSG Landers, who was eliminated from the semi-playoffs (semi-PO, 3 wins out of 5 games) with a series sweep, is to erase the colors of SK Wyverns.

On the 31st of last month, the SSG club announced that it would terminate the contract with coach Kim Won-hyung (51). Director Kim Won-hyung, who took office in November 2020 with a two-year contract (total amount of 700 million won), renewed his contract for three years and a total amount of 2.2 billion won during the Korean Series last year. He was recognized for his leadership by leading the team to a combined championship, but left the team after completing only one year of his contract renewal period. SSG general manager Kim Seong-yong said in a phone call with this paper, “It’s not a dismissal, it’s a contract termination.”

SSG finished the regular season in 3rd place this year. They were leading the league at the end of June, but at one point fell to 5th place and fell to the Maginot Line in the postseason (PS). They took advantage of their courage and advanced straight to semi-PO in 3rd place, but were eliminated after losing all 3 games to NC Dinos. General Manager Kim Seong-yong said, “We have not appointed the next coach,” and added, “We reviewed the season on our own and shared the direction for the future. Isn’t there an urgent need for a generational change? We discussed who can do the best and who has leadership. “I have decided. Now that it has been announced, I have to prepare (for the next director),” he said. Coincidentally, there was a major change in the coaching staff from SK. On the 28th, SSG notified some coaches that their contracts could not be renewed. Coaches Chae Byeong-yong and Park Jeong-kwon, who were active during the SK dynasty, as well as coaches Lee Jin-young, Son Ji-hwan, and Park Joo-eon have left the team. Before the club's intention was delivered, coaches Kyung-bae Jeong and Min-jae Kim transferred to the Hanwha Eagles and Lotte Giants, respectively. Coach Woong-cheon Cho and Coach Jeong Sang-ho also moved to Doosan Bears and Lotte.

A baseball official said, “The club did not notify us of its intention not to renew the contract, but I guess they felt some kind of inkling and changed teams.” A fierce wind blew in the training part as well. Following the coaching staff, manager Kim Won-hyung was also eliminated, making the atmosphere at the club even more chaotic. Some even say, "Aren't the coaches from SK holding responsible for the poor performance?"

Shinsegae Group E-Mart acquired SK, which was operated by SK Telecom, for 135.28 billion won in January 2021. Coach Won-Hyung Kim was appointed as the 8th coach of SK in November 2020, but the team was sold and he began his career as a coach at SSG. SSG, which was ranked 6th in the 2021 season and failed to pass the fall baseball threshold, peaked with a combined championship last year. However, immediately after the win, General Manager Ryu Seon-gyu, who had a long history at SK, resigned and General Manager Kim Seong-yong, a former Yatap High School coach, took over. There were many reactions from the field that the ‘replacement of the winning general manager’ was unusual. As the manager and coaching staff were all changed in just one year, SSG's SK color became even fainter.

Shinsegae Group Vice Chairman Chung Yong-jin is very interested in SSG's baseball team operation. In the process of Director Ryu Seon-gyu's resignation, 'suspicion of secret conduct' arose. General Manager Kim Seong-yong said, “During the meeting this morning, the discussion was resolved internally.” He drew a line by saying, “(In response to a question about whether the manager’s age could become younger if generational change is important), it was not done with any specific target in mind.” . As a result of this paper's coverage, SSG, which eliminated a large number of coaches from SK, recruited the coach of Yulgok High School as the second team coaching staff.

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