'One Club Man'

Park Tae-ha (55) has been appointed as the 13th head coach of the Pohang Steelers in professional soccer.

Pohang announced on Monday that it has signed a two-year contract with Park Tae-ha. Park Tae-ha is a "one club man" who debuted in Pohang in 1991 and played only in Pohang except when he was managing director. Born in Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province, Park retired at a relatively young age in 2001, saying that he would remain a "one club man" rather than playing in other teams.

Having played for Pohang for nine seasons, he made 261 appearances with 46 goals and 37 assists, and began his career as a coach in Pohang in 2005. In 2007, he had the pleasure of winning the K-League by assisting Brazil coach Sergio Paris. From 2008 to 2011, he served as a coach for the Korean national team and advanced to the round of 16 teams at the World Cup in South Africa. As the head coach of China's Yanbian Fudder, he won the title of the A-League (division) in 2015, and achieved promotion to the Super League (division).

Park Tae-ha is known to have rejected his offer, although he has been sought after as a candidate for the K-League several times. However, when his old team asked him to head the team on his way to FC Seoul, he immediately resigned as the head of the technical committee of the Korea Professional Football League and took the helm.

"It's such a meaningful place for me that I've never forgotten about Pohang since I first joined the club," Park said through the club. "It's an honor and a pleasure to be here as a coach. I'll do my best to show you my Pohang football." 사설토토