Jang Min-seok, CEO of J-Sun, who dreams of becoming Australia's first Korean adult team coach as an icon of challenge from a former star
Mar 23, 2025
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He was the star of the past. Nada swept the top scorers in every tournament. Walban was basic. He has always been a key player in the national team by age with his older brothers. He was also ranked No. 1 in the 95th class, which is full of star-studded students such as Sung Han-soo, Lee Sung-jae, Kim Young-cheol, and Kim Do-kyun. He wore the Jeonbuk jersey as the first choice in the 1999 draft.
CEO Jang's professional life, which seemed to be solid, went wrong from the first button. Coach Jang, who did not get the chance as expected in Jeonbuk, pushed for a transfer, but it didn't go as he wanted. Fortunately, he was recognized for his ability by becoming the top scorer once again after joining Sangmu, but he was hampered by contract problems again. He succeeded in making a comeback in Singapore and sought to go to the K-League again, but failed again this time. When he was a child, he couldn't blossom his talent and seemed to disappear like that.
In the moment of despair, an accidental opportunity arose. Hongik University contacted Jang, who was trying to finish his career in Australia with the need to learn at least English. At that time, there was a problem with the coaching staff, and it was a call to help for a moment. CEO Jang taught players only one or two points with the concept of an instructor, not an official coach. The players have improved remarkably. CEO Jang also tasted the joy he didn't feel when he was a player. In 2005, he started his second career as a coach at Hongdae.
His soccer career has changed dramatically since his transformation as a leader. It was simply a roll. CEO Jang, who was recognized for his leadership by winning the trophy in Hongdae, started his career as a coach of Yongma Middle School in 2007. Yongma Middle School, who was in last place, was immediately changed to the championship team. After hard work, such as remodeling the accommodation with a loan at his own expense, he made it the best team in Seoul, including two weekend league wins and a long-term championship of the association.
I took on a new challenge. In 2011, when it was not possible to establish a high school team for Yongma Middle School to climb, he boldly created a high school club team. It was Jungnang FC. He became the first club team to win the national championship, the Seoul Metropolitan Government tournament, and the weekend league. He was a regular customer of the King of Kings.
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Representative Jang did not stop here. It signed an MOU with the Maritime University in Qingdao, China. Coach Jang opened a new door for players who are struggling with tuition, performance, and employment. In addition to acquiring languages such as Chinese and English, it provided various opportunities for players.
He didn't stop developing himself. It acquired a P-level license in 2023. CEO Jang, who has devoted himself to finding promising players for nearly 20 years, dreamed of challenging the adult team. I gained experience. Last year, he played as a head coach for Hwaseong FC. Under the guidance of CEO Jang, who was in charge of set pieces, Hwaseong succeeded in making a leap in the second half of the year and won the runner-up prize. After spending a year on Mars, Chang decided to go to Australia. In the meantime, he also appeared on YouTube of Ahn Jung-hwan, a close senior.
Another door opened for CEO Jang, who took on the challenge. He showed his talent. He tested and selected four players who graduated from high school in the past year, and showed his ability to join the Australian National Premier League (NPL). Australia operates a semi-professional league called the NPL under the A-League. Sydney alone has 16 teams. Ham Dong-hwa, Jang Ye-ju, Kim Min-jae, and Kim Kyung-tae are the main characters. Those who signed with the 20-year-old team are active as key resources for the team. Those who would have had an ordinary college life if they were in Korea gained experience in the Australian adult team, earning money and learning English.
In early September, when the NPL season ends, Jang plans to select players who want to come to Korea from Australia and players who want to advance from Korea to Australia, and play a warm-up match with the K-League team. The idea is to give young players a chance through this. I'm not satisfied here. He is preparing to coach in Australia. Jang recently received a coaching offer from the NPL U-20 team, but refused. The first team is the goal. If he becomes the head coach of the senior team, he will be the first Korean to lead an Australian senior team.
Representative Jang, who silently moved forward, has opened a new path. When Jungnang FC was founded, everyone said it was a reckless challenge, but now it is an era where club teams are the trend. Following his motto of "'Desperate and you can achieve everything', Chang embarked on an 'Infinite Challenge' in Australia.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
