After just over two months leading Ulsan Hyundai, coach Shin Tae-yong has left his hot seat amid a series of internal controversies, concluding a short but stormy period at the reigning K.League 1 champions.
The Korean coach was appointed in early August 2025 with the expectation of bringing Ulsan back to top form. However, the team has only won one of eight matches, falling to the bottom of the table and having to participate in a series of relegation play-off matches. On October 9, Ulsan's board decided to terminate the contract with Mr. Shin.
Korean media later revealed many behind-the-scenes conflicts, including accusations that coach Shin went golfing while the team was away from home, and even made actions and statements that were said to be insulting to the players. Some members of the team affirmed that his coaching style is no longer suitable for the modern professional football environment.
Former Ulsan CEO Kim Kwang-guk said the reason for the dismissal was not just results. Coach Shins way of managing and communicating makes the players uncomfortable. Some words can be considered disrespectful in the current context, Mr. Kim shared.
In response to the above information, coach Shin Tae-yong clearly expressed his frustration. He affirmed that he had never scolded or assaulted a player. I just joked to create a friendly atmosphere, like when I was working in Indonesia. The whole thing has been misunderstood and exaggerated, he said.
Regarding the rumor related to the golf club bag taken on the team's car, coach Shin explained that it was just personal items sent by transportation home, not related to neglect of the mission. He also denied any conflict with the veteran group, saying that the arrangement of the squad was based on form and fitness, not based on any prejudice.
After leaving Ulsan, coach Shin admitted that he did not really understand the internal culture of the team. He believes that this defeat is a "valuable lesson" in his coaching career, but disagrees with the assessment that his tactics are outdated. I helped Indonesia draw with Australia and beat Saudi Arabia. My philosophy is still relevant, as long as there is proper support from the collective, he added.
Previously, Shin Tae-yong led the Korean team at the 2018 World Cup and helped the team win a historic 2-0 victory over Germany. He also contributed greatly to bringing Indonesian football to regional level in the 2019-2024 period.
