Baek Dong-gyu 32, a central defender who transferred from FC Anyang to Suwon Samsung in February. Baek Dong-gyu, whose family is in Busan, is living in a Suwon Samsung clubhouse accommodation in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do.
One day in April, Baek Dong-gyu, who couldn't sleep well even though he was sleeping, visited the sauna at his hotel at around 11:30 p.m. I was surprised to see someone at the sauna, which I thought was probably alone. Yeom Ki-hoon, 41, manager of Suwon Samsung, was there.
After Yeom Ki-hoon took office, Suwon Samsung always finishes morning training. They have to have lunch on their own and go home after morning training. In other words, Yeom Ki-hoon coached morning training and stayed at the club house until midnight.
Baek Dong-gyu asked, "How have you been here so far?" and director Yeom answered calmly, "I analyzed the video." I thought he was coming home after the sauna, but Baek Dong-gyu was surprised twice when he was told that director Yeom came to the sauna to "make a new mind before analyzing the remaining videos."
Baek Dong-gyu, whom he met after losing 1-2 in an away match at Seongnam FC on Thursday, told such a story, "How can I not follow the coach who comes in in the morning, teaches training, and analyzes my team's performance at the club house until 12 p.m. Yeom really tries to research and invest a lot of time to improve the team. I think that enabled him to have no loss in April four wins and one draw."
"Even though I lost to Seongnam, Coach Yeom will probably analyze it so fiercely that he will make a diagnosis and give me a prescription. As a player, I just trust and follow the captain's words. I will push back if I ask," he said firmly.
In fact, at a press conference after the game on the day, Yeom said, "Today's game cleared up a lot of thoughts. I'm sad to lose today's game, but I'll do my best to get back on my feet through this game." When asked where his thoughts were sorted out, he said, "Each player seems to have a difference between when he started and when he played as a substitute. I think I need to figure that out well, modify my mercenary skills, and organize how to simply go when the opponent gets off." He also gave hints on what to revise in the future.
Baek Dong-gyu, who also faced Yeom Ki-hoon, who retired from playing after the end of the last season and immediately took the helm, even when he was an active player. "I have worked with great leaders such as Lee Woo-hyung, Cho Seong-hwan, Kim Tae-wan and Nam Ki-il. Yeom has his own strengths," Baek said, adding, "As a national team player and a star player coach who has been to World Cup, I find his know-how to teach players is extraordinary. Especially, when I listen to him giving advice one by one to players on his side and mentioning his movements, I am amazed."
"Since Suwon Samsung has star players such as Oh Jang-eun, Shin Hwa-yong and Yang Sang-min on its coaching staff, the team teaches players how to accept the know-how they showed at a high level when they were active. I learn a lot from that," he said.
"Coach Yeom Ki-hoon always wants to challenge himself more boldly than pointing out mistakes during training. In fact, when players make mistakes, they have no choice but to pay attention to their leaders, but Yeom continues to encourage them and say, "It's okay" to cheer them up. That gives confidence to young players, and it's the same for senior players," Baek Dong-gyu said, expressing trust in Yeom. 배트맨토토
"The coaching staff experience that they are putting a lot of effort into rebuilding a prestigious family in Suwon. At the match against Seongnam, Yeom also stressed numerous times about set-piece defense, but lost points due to set-piece defense. What's left is the players' attitude and attitude. I will do my best first."