1. Overview
Song Kyung-sub (송경섭Song Kyung-subKorean; born 25 February 1971) is a South Korean footballer who retired as a player and later became a prominent football coach. His career saw him play for notable clubs like Daewoo Royals and Suwon Samsung Bluewings, before transitioning into coaching where he held various significant roles within the Korea Football Association (KFA) as a full-time instructor and youth national team coach. He also managed professional clubs such as Jeonnam Dragons and Gangwon FC, though these tenures were sometimes marked by controversy, most notably the "pants manager" incident during his time at Jeonnam Dragons.
2. Early life and playing career
Song Kyung-sub's journey in football began with his academic pursuits, leading him to a professional playing career that spanned several years before his early retirement.
2.1. Early life and education
Born on 25 February 1971, Song Kyung-sub pursued his education at Dankook University before embarking on his professional football career.
2.2. Playing career
In 1994, Song Kyung-sub began his professional playing career after being selected in the 10th round of the draft by Daewoo Royals. Two years later, in 1996, he became a founding member of the newly established Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Following his time with Suwon, he continued his playing career in Thailand before deciding to retire early in 1999.
3. Coaching career
Following his early retirement from playing, Song Kyung-sub quickly transitioned into a coaching role, accumulating extensive experience across various levels of South Korean football, from national youth teams to K League clubs.
3.1. Transition to coaching and early KFA roles
Song Kyung-sub began his coaching career immediately after retiring as a player, participating in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) coaching courses in 1999, notably as the youngest attendee. This marked the beginning of a long and significant period with the Korea Football Association (KFA), where he served as a full-time instructor from 2000 to 2015. During this 15-year tenure, he also held various roles as a youth full-time instructor.
3.2. Club and youth national team coaching
Song Kyung-sub's coaching career extended beyond his KFA instructor role, encompassing managerial positions at professional clubs and leadership roles within various youth national teams.
3.2.1. Jeonnam Dragons tenure
In October 2016, Song Kyung-sub was appointed as the manager of Jeonnam Dragons. This appointment was primarily influenced by his possession of a P-level coaching license, which was a requirement for the team to participate in the 2017 AFC Champions League. This situation, where a manager was seemingly appointed specifically to meet a licensing requirement, led to a significant public and media debate, commonly referred to as the "pants manager" controversy. The term implied that he was merely a 'stand-in' or 'figurehead' manager. Under his guidance, Jeonnam Dragons finished the league season in fifth place, ultimately failing to secure a spot in the AFC Champions League. Following the conclusion of the 2016 season, his contract with Jeonnam Dragons expired, and he departed the club.
3.2.2. Gangwon FC tenure
In 2017, Song Kyung-sub joined the newly established Gangwon FC as the director of player reinforcement. Later that year, on November 2, he was appointed as the club's manager. His tenure as manager lasted until August 12, 2018, when he was dismissed after the team suffered three consecutive defeats, including a match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Following his departure, Kim Byung-soo, who had been serving as the director of player reinforcement, took over the managerial position.
3.2.3. Youth national team coaching
Song Kyung-sub has had a consistent and impactful presence in the South Korean youth national team setup. From 2001 to 2002, he served as a coach for the U-13 national team. Between 2002 and 2012, his responsibilities expanded to include coaching roles for the U-16, U-17, and U-22 national teams. In 2015, he also had a stint as a coach for FC Seoul. After his managerial role at Gangwon FC, he moved to coach the U-17 national team. Since 2019, he has been managing the U-15 national team.
4. Personal life
Song Kyung-sub is married to Cho Sun-hee, a notable photographer.
5. Legacy and reception
Song Kyung-sub's career in South Korean football is characterized by his transition from an early-retired player to a long-serving and influential coach within the national football system, punctuated by stints managing professional clubs. His significant contributions primarily stem from his extensive work as a full-time instructor and youth coach for the KFA, where he played a role in developing young talent over many years. However, his managerial career at club level also brought him into the public eye through controversies.
5.1. Criticism and controversies
The most notable controversy surrounding Song Kyung-sub's career was the "pants manager" (바지 감독Baji GamdokKorean) incident during his appointment as manager of Jeonnam Dragons in 2016. The core of the criticism stemmed from the perception that his appointment was not based purely on merit or long-term strategic vision for the club, but rather on the technicality of his P-level coaching license, which was necessary for Jeonnam to qualify for the AFC Champions League. This led to public and media speculation that he was a temporary or nominal manager, essentially serving as a 'stand-in' for another figure who might not have held the required license. This type of controversy highlights the complexities and challenges within football management, especially concerning regulatory compliance and public perception of leadership roles. The incident sparked a broader discussion about the integrity of managerial appointments and the true authority of coaches in such situations.