“I couldn’t sleep well for six months.”

At 2 p.m. on the 9th, the 2nd Gangwon FC-Gimpo FC match of the Hana One Q K-League 2023 promotion/relegation playoffs took place at the Gangneung Sports Complex in Gangneung. The two teams drew 0-0 in the first game. The result of the game was 2-1, Gangwon’s victory. Gangwon defeated Gimpo, where Cho Seong-kwon scored a goal in the 14th minute of the second half, thanks to Gabriel's consecutive goals in the 6th and 31st minutes of the second half. With this, Gangwon escaped the pressure of relegation and achieved its long-desired mission of remaining in the first division.

The following is the full text of Gangwon coach Yoon Jeong-hwan's press conference after the game.

- How do you feel after the game?

Many people have supported us until today. The club owner and CEO trusted me. Thank you for letting me be here. Not only our staff but also the people at the front desk worked hard. He even showed tears during one game. Thanks to your support, good results were achieved. Lastly, our players. A lot of things happened. We all came to this point with the goal of not giving up and trying until the end. I want to say thank you to the players. This is thanks to the support of Narsha (Gangwon supporters) and many fans. Although he criticized me a lot at one time, he believed in me until the end. Thank you. I don't think there should be anything that comes in between again. It's been a difficult six months. I feel happy because the results are good. We need to help this team grow in the future. If a team is always in the relegation zone, it will continue to be an unstable season. To prevent that from happening, we need to make the team strong. I won't tell you about the details of the game. The results are out.

-What did you say after the first half ended 0-0?

There was something physically difficult about it. The position has been modified. There was earnestness, and the players listened well to the story.

- Is this a meaningful moment in the leader’s career?

Living in Japan was difficult. It was my first time coming in the middle. There were some difficulties. It was a good experience. It was a year in which I could grow to the next level as a leader.

- In the end, the appointment of coach Yoon Jeong-hwan was a success. Next year, I will lead the team from the beginning. What kind of team do you want to make?

Although I wasn't able to show everything in the second half, I learned how to defend from the front over the course of six months. I will do this more thoroughly. I will not just step down, but resolve this issue aggressively. I want to create a more active and dynamic soccer game. I also felt that it could be possible.

- Seo Min-woo and Kim Dae-won’s enlistment gap?

So my head is confused. It’s difficult because we’re in the relegation zone. Although I could see the players, there were some parts where I couldn't talk to them. Now that the results are out, I think we need to move quickly from now on.

- Any words to your fans?

I've even been caught by a bus two or three times. It’s not that we don’t work hard. They also have high expectations. We had a meeting to resolve any misunderstandings and asked him to trust me. Not only those people but also many residents of the province supported us. Thank you. I have to show a better side of myself in the future.

- I need a break after working. How should I spend my break?

I spent 6 months in Gangwon. All I could think about was how to make the team do well. In the meantime, I couldn't sleep well. I was so tired after the Gimpo match not long ago that I slept a lot for the first time. In fact, it is difficult for our staff to sleep as well. There are so many things to stress about and worry about. There is no way to solve those parts. Each person must take care of their health. I'm not a person who likes drinking, so I hope you get some rest on your own. I like eating and talking with my wife. This is someone you can confide in.

-What did you say to Multigoal Gabriel after the game?

I didn't say anything because I couldn't speak. However, there was an exchange of satisfied glances.