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| Head Coach Kim Jong-min / Photo=DB |
According to Newsis on the 26th, the club informed Kim, whose contract expires on the 31st, that it intended to end their relationship.
As a result, the team will enter the championship series (best-of-five), starting April 1, under acting head coach Kim Young-rae and without a permanent head coach.
Kim took over in March 2016 and guided the team to an overall championship within two years of his appointment.
He also delivered a memorable 2022–23 title by staging a reverse sweep of Heungkuk Life, led by star Kim Yeon-koung.
This season, Korea Expressway finished the regular season 24–12 (69 points), secured first place and clinched an automatic berth in the championship series.
Kim attended the postseason media day on the 20th and showed no visible sign of concern.
Some observers say allegations that Kim assaulted assistant coach A may have influenced the club's decision.
The assistant coach says he has been treated for depression and insomnia and describes himself as a victim. He alleges that last November at the team's residence in Gimcheon, inside the head coach's office, Kim criticized foreign player Merelyn Nicolova's performance, verbally abused him and grabbed his neck, and that he was removed from duties the following day.
Kim denies choking or grabbing anyone. He says he was not removed from duty and accuses Coach A of insubordination, claiming A refused to answer questions; Kim added that other coaches and players could corroborate his account.
On Feb. 27, the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Criminal Division 2 (Chief Prosecutor Jo Eun-su) filed a summary indictment against Kim on charges of assault and defamation. A summary indictment asks the court to impose a fine or administrative penalty through a written review without sending the suspect to a formal trial.
[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu sports@stoo.com]
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