Is Choo Shin-soo going the way of a prepared coach? When will the second-tier coach announce?

Dec 26, 2024

Choo Shin-soo posing at the retirement press conference. Sports Chosun DB

Choo Shin-soo, who announced his retirement from the active role, continues his relationship with SSG Landers. He is expected to take on the role of overseeing the development.

Choo Shin-soo retired after more than 20 years of professional career. He moved to the U.S. immediately after graduating from Busan High School, and is a representative successful case of being reborn as a major leaguer through a minor league. In terms of Major League Baseball's overall performance, he had one of the best careers in Asia with Ichiro Suzuki.

He chose to go to SSG (SK Wyverns at the time of the nomination), which had the right to be named in 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, played four seasons as a Landers player and took off his uniform. In the 2022 season, he also enjoyed the joy of winning the unified championship.

After the 2023 season, Choo had revealed early that he would retire in a year. However, he declined to comment on his future course of action. Asked about his future at a retirement press conference in November, he said, `Now my body and mind are very tired.' `Although various thoughts and suggestions are coming in, I think it is more important to do well on the spot than to go to any position. You have to think about whether you are prepared enough. I think it's too early to say I'm doing something because it hasn't been long since it's over. I'm going to take a break and think about it slowly."

The game between SSG Landers and Kiwoom Heroes at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 30th. SSG Choo Shin-soo is stepping down with an infield grounder in the bottom of the eighth inning with one out. Incheon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.09.30/

Choo Shin-soo is set to take on the role of general manager at SSG next season. The SSG club has been discussing with Choo Shin-soo about his career after retirement since before his retirement. While respecting Choo Shin-soo's opinion in a surprise move, he proposed a number of proposals. Having built his career in the Major League and played in the KBO League for four seasons, he usually paid a lot of attention to the KBO League environment, treatment, and fostering amateur players.

In fact, if he/she acts as a development coordinator, he/she is likely to take on the team's long-term development plan separately from the existing second- and third-tier coaching staff. Rather than staying in the Futures team, he is more likely to exchange with Major League teams while traveling between Korea and the United States.

On the 7th, a press conference for the retirement of SSG Landers Choo Shin-soo was held at the Incheon of Gyeongwonjae Ambassador in Songdo, Incheon. Choo Shin-soo poses with his retirement uniform. Songdo = Reporter Song Jeong-heon

If Choo Shin-soo continues his relationship with the KBO League and SSG even after his retirement from active duty, he may become a manager in the long run. Until now, Choo Shin-soo has been considered as a candidate for SSG's next coach.

However, he expressed disapproval several times. Choo Shin-soo said, `I wonder if I can do well. I think it's a place where you have to carry a lot of burden. All parts should be evaluated. I'm not ready yet, so I don't think I'll do it even if I get an offer. I played in the major leagues for a long time, but I just played as a player. I'm not prepared at all as a coach."

However, if the time to learn about front work and field work step by step increases, starting with fostering, it can be what he calls a 'preparation' process. SSG is preparing for the opening of its new stadium, the Blue Dragon Open in 2028.

Meanwhile, SSG's second-tier coach is currently vacant. Coach Son Si-heon, who has been enthusiastically leading the development of the Futures team this season, will take over as the first-team defensive coach next season at the request of coach Lee Sung-yong. Coach Sohn led the team's training as a coach until this final camp. It has been vacant since then.

The presentation is taking longer than expected. SSG considered foreign supervision, but it was canceled, and it was temporarily postponed due to personnel changes such as the replacement of the CEO. After that, the final candidates were selected. Currently, the legendary baseball player has been narrowed down to a strong candidate for the second division, but it is still unknown whether it can lead to the announcement after the final point.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.