I'm Kim Ho 80, the man who made today's Suwon, and I'm confused about this kind of place
Sep 16, 2025
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Kim Ho, former manager of Suwon Samsung, was deeply moved. The Korea Professional Football Federation held the 2nd 'K League Hall of Fame' induction ceremony at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul on the 16th. The K-League Hall of Fame was established in 2023 to honor the history and tradition of Korean professional football and to publicize the contributions of those who contributed to the development of the K-League. It operates in three categories: athletes, leaders, and contributors, and inductees are selected every two years.
Kim Joo-sung, Kim Byung-ji, the late Yoo Sang-cheol, and Deyan in the player category, former Suwon Samsung coach Kim Ho in the leader category, and Chung Mong-joon, honorary chairman of the Korea Football Association, in the contributor category. Choi Soon-ho, Hong Myung-bo, Shin Tae-yong, Lee Dong-guk, former coach Kim Jung-nam, and late POSCO Honorary Chairman Park Tae-joon were inducted at the first Hall of Fame in 2023.
At this year's induction ceremony, various programs were prepared to commemorate their performances and achievements by welcoming new inductees. Footballers with special ties to the inductees took the stage to introduce the contributions of the inductees and read their recommendations. A video showing the past performances of the inductees was also screened.
The inductee was awarded a trophy symbolizing the Hall of Fame's induction along with a certificate of induction recording their achievements in the K League. The trophy was embedded with a solid gold medal engraved with the symbol of the Hall of Fame, adding to the meaning of the induction.
Coach Kim Ho recorded 208 wins, 154 draws and 181 losses in the K League (including the League Cup) as manager of the Hyundai Tigers from 1988 to 1990, Suwon Samsung from 1995 to 2003, and Daejeon Citizen from 2007 to 2009. Kim Ho's 208 wins are the third most wins after Choi Kang-hee (229 wins) and Kim Jung-nam (210 wins). Kim Ho took over as the first manager of Suwon Samsung in 1995, leading the new team Suwon to the strongest team in the league. He won two consecutive K-League titles in 1998 and 1999, followed by two consecutive Asian Club Championships (now AFC Champions League) in 2000-2001 and 2001-2002, and led him to the FA Cup (now Korea Cup) in 2002 and topped several domestic and international competitions. Head coach Kim Ho has established Suwon Samsung as a prestigious K-League club based on its excellent tactics and wide range of soccer views, and has produced numerous star players from Suwon.
Lee Ho-seung, executive director of the Korean Women's Football Federation, who was a recommended player, said "Kim Ho-ho was a club employee when he was in Suwon. In the early days of the foundation, the coach was more bold and meticulous than anyone else. In the process of creating a new team, he accumulated the club's philosophy like a painter drawing a big picture. He brought out the players' abilities. He always came to the stadium first, and even after the end, he coached each player. He lightened the players' minds by blaming them for the player when he won and the coach when he lost. We watched the moment Suwon reached the top together. It was possible because of the preparation, leadership, and dedication from the beginning of the foundation. Director Kim was a warm father despite his cool-headed tactics. He warmed not only the team but also the team staff. He always kept his balance. Because of such a time, Suwon was able to establish itself as a prestigious club. He said, "He upgraded Suwon to a prestigious club in the K-League."
Director Kim was over 80 when he was on stage. Still, I'm puzzled to be at the awards ceremony. I hope everyone is healthy and that these days will happen often."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
