“Won and still yelled at them”: Lee Jung-hyo’s grit ends three years of hell... Suwon Samsung Bluewings’ return as king of the top flight

[Financial News] “We’re not at the finish line; we’re only now about to step up to the starting line.”
Suwon Samsung Bluewings, a traditional K League powerhouse that once ruled Asia, has finally put its three-year hellish spell in the second division (K League 2) behind it and returned directly to the top flight. At the heart of the turnaround was the relentless leadership of coach Lee Jung-hyo (51), the “promotion specialist” who quickly restored the pride of a once-humbled powerhouse.
Since its founding in 1995, Suwon had become a rising powerhouse, winning four K League 1 titles, five Korea Cup titles (formerly the FA Cup) and two AFC Champions League titles. But investment dwindled after a change in parent company in 2014, sending the club into decline, and in 2023 it suffered the humiliation of being relegated for the first time in its history. Contrary to expectations that it would return to the top flight immediately, Suwon struggled in the second-division mire, finishing sixth in 2024 and falling short in the promotion-relegation playoffs in 2025.

The first sign of a turnaround came last December. Suwon put Lee Jung-hyo in charge, offering him the league’s top terms after he led Gwangju FC to remarkable achievements, including a K League 2 title, third place in K League 1 and the first-ever quarterfinal appearance in the ACLE by a municipal- or provincial-government-backed club. The club brought on board the entire coaching and support staff known as the “Lee Jung-hyo team” and spared no effort in backing him, signing proven talent in bulk, including Jeong Ho-yeon, Go Seung-beom, Reis, Reubon and Luis.
The results came immediately. Suwon got off to a strong start with five straight wins early in the season, then held onto first place without interruption from August onward and set a club record with seven consecutive wins in regular-season play. Its stingy defense had conceded a league-low 25 goals through Round 31, while striker Luis—who joined in the summer transfer window and scored five goals in eight matches—added a clinical edge with 15 goals for the season, giving the team a well-rounded lineup with no obvious weaknesses.

Above all, what changed Suwon’s character was Lee’s distinctive philosophy of valuing the process over the result. Even after a win, he rebuked his players, saying, “I’m angry that we scored only one goal,” and ran over to players who had fallen on the pitch, shouting at them to get up. Even immediately after setting a record with seven straight wins, he urged caution rather than celebration, saying, “K League 2 records are meaningless. Our goal is K League 1.” His constant communication, which pushed players to find their own answers to the decisions they made during matches, along with his exacting standards, fully revived Suwon’s winning mentality.
Having established himself as a “challenger” turned “spearhead of a powerhouse’s revival,” coach Lee Jung-hyo is now leading the charge. In 2027, Suwon’s Blue Wings are set to return to the top flight—and have the football world on edge.
[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter