Daejeon Hana Citizen manager Lee Min-sung resigns after club hits bottom

“I feel sorry all those who have believed in me and supported me,” Lee said in a statement posted to Daejeon’s official Instagram account on Tuesday.

Lee Min-sung watches a K League 1 match between Daejeon Hana Citizen and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at Daejeon World Cup Stadium in Daejeon on July 12, 2023. [NEWS1]

Lee Min-sung resigned as Daejeon Hana Citizen manager after hitting the bottom of the K League 1 table, the club announced Tuesday.

“I feel sorry all those who have believed in me and supported me,” Lee said in a statement posted to Daejeon’s official Instagram account on Tuesday. “I have so many good memories as I’ve spent time together with Daejeon. I received an overwhelming love.”

Lee, 50, joined Daejeon in December 2020 ahead of the 2021 K League 2 season. After finishing his first season at Daejeon in third place in the second division, he won the promotion-and-relegation playoffs in the 2022 campaign, sending the club through to the top tier for the 2023 season.

Daejeon managed a solid run in the 2023 K League 1 campaign, finishing in eighth place on the 12-team table. But the club has struggled so far this season, sitting in last place with two wins, five draws and six losses as of Tuesday.

Assistant coach Jung Kwang-seok will be the interim manager until Daejeon appoint a new permanent boss.

Daejeon next face defending champions Ulsan HD in Ulsan on Saturday.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]