K-League 2 Suwon Samsung started off with two wins and two losses (six points) at the K-League 2 2024 of Hana Bank. It won its first match against Asan, South Chungcheong Province, on March 3, but lost against E-Land in Seoul on March 10. It suffered its second loss of this season at the match against I'Park in Busan on March 31, the first game after the A-match break.
Suwon Samsung coach Yeom Ki-hoon did not have the confidence to show as a result. He made his professional debut in 2006, played for Jeonbuk Hyundai and Ulsan Hyundai (currently Ulsan HD) and has been with Suwon Samsung since 2010. He won the Korea Football Association (FA) Cup three times (2010, 2016, 2019) during his active career. He has 77 goals and 110 assists in 445 K-League matches. He has 110 assists as the No. 1 overall in his career in the K-League. He put off retirement and joined the team as a playing coach last year.
When his team was in danger of desperation, he took the mound as a firefighter in a surprise move. In September, Suwon Samsung replaced former coach Kim Byung-soo and assigned Yeom, a former playing coach, the baton. However, the team failed to prevent his team from being demoted. Yeom, who had experienced demotion for the first time as an acting coach, officially took the helm in January.
As expected, Yeom's foremost goal in taking the helm is promotion. He displayed extraordinary confidence. He said he would seek direct promotion from the opening media day. Ahead of the opening match against Asan, South Chungcheong Province, Yeom also vowed to seek unbeaten promotion, saying, "I don't think I will lose as of now."
However, the upward trend did not last long. Above all, the team is agonizing over its loss to E-Land in Seoul and IPark in Busan, which are called "candidates for promotion." To survive the ever-fierce competition for promotion to the K-League 2, it is important to have showdowns with competitors. However, Suwon Samsung has been mired in defeat by all of the teams that are expected to rank high. Defeats are increasing faster than expected.
In addition, the "first-past soccer" that Yeom shouted is not included. He declared "offensive soccer," signaling a strong offense. However, he has scored four goals in four games, scoring one goal per game. It is regrettable to say that this is an offensive soccer.
Suwon fans continued to show their support even after they were demoted. In the opening game, 14,196 fans entered, more than the first game last year, and 11,707 fans visited the match against Busan on March 31, their second home game. They also broke various records in away games. However, the team is all the more regrettable due to its unexpected slump. The team is seeking promotion in a bid to rebuild the prestigious family, but faced a difficult situation.