Lee Jeong-hyo’s Tactical Shift at Suwon Samsung: A Focus on Japanese Soccer Principles

Suwon Samsung Bluewings manager Lee Jeong-hyo is implementing a strategic overhaul inspired by Japanese soccer tactics, aiming to revitalize the team’s performance and address a perceived gap between Korean and Japanese football. This comes as Korean teams faced elimination in the recent Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite (ACLE) stage, while Japanese clubs demonstrated stronger results.

Strategic Focus and Tactical Security

Lee Jeong-hyo, appointed as Suwon Samsung’s manager with the expectation of leading the team to promotion, has instead set his sights on winning the championship. He is approaching this goal with a focus on tactical innovation, drawing inspiration from the successes of Japanese teams. He has been deliberately tight-lipped about the specifics of these tactics, referring to them as a “secret recipe” to prevent opponents from adapting.

“There is no reason to expose the strategy because the more it is exposed to the media, the better the opposing teams respond. It is a real help to our players and team,” Lee Jeong-hyo stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a competitive edge through tactical security.

Korean Soccer’s Performance on the Asian Stage

The decision to study and adopt elements of Japanese soccer stems from recent disappointments in the AFC Champions League. Ulsan HD, FC Seoul, and Gangwon FC were all eliminated from the ACLE, while Vissel Kobe and Machida Zelvia of Japan advanced to the quarterfinals. This disparity highlighted a clear difference in performance and tactical approach between the two nations.

Lee Jeong-hyo acknowledged this difference, stating, “There is a big difference between Korean soccer and Japanese soccer. Yet, I do not suppose there is a need to disclose the specific tactical differences I have identified to the outside world.”

Lee Jeong-hyo’s Proven Track Record

Lee Jeong-hyo brings a history of success to Suwon Samsung, having previously overturned a 0-2 deficit in the ACLE round of 16 with Gwangju FC, winning 3-0 at home and becoming the first city-based team to reach the quarterfinals of an Asian club competition. This experience has given him firsthand insight into the strengths of Japanese teams.

“I felt a lot while facing Japanese teams during the Miyazaki training camp. We are finding a clear tactical answer through head-to-head matches and moving forward in that direction,” Lee Jeong-hyo explained.

Early Successes in K League 2

Since Lee Jeong-hyo’s appointment, Suwon Samsung has won all three of its opening games in the K League 2, alongside Suwon FC (also with 3 wins). While acknowledging that the team’s performance in matches hasn’t yet fully reflected their potential in practice, Lee Jeong-hyo is encouraged by the players’ growing passion for the game.

“The players themselves are frustrated because their actual performance is not as great as during practice, but it is encouraging to see them gradually becoming crazy about soccer. It will get better in the future,” he said.

Looking Ahead

Lee Jeong-hyo remains focused on Suwon Samsung’s long-term goal of promotion, while simultaneously implementing a tactical strategy informed by the successes of Japanese soccer. His emphasis on tactical security and continuous improvement suggests a calculated approach to achieving both short-term victories and sustained success.