Reporter Lee Eui-jin = Jeju Seogwipokal Hotel banquet hall where the ‘2023 K-League Winter Field Training Media Camp’ was held on the afternoon of the 6th.

The first question that Pohang Steelers coach Kim Ki-dong received on the podium and took the microphone was ‘Shin Jin-ho’s alternative plan’.

Manager Kim said, “(Shin) Jin-ho’s contract is until this year, so I thought he would join the team, but he suddenly left and I’m very busy.”

On this day, the name most frequently mentioned by Pohang coaches and players was ‘Shin Jin-ho’.

Shin Jin-ho led Pohang last season and became one of the best midfielders in the league.

He was a signboard of Pohang in name and reality, including 4 goals and 10 assists in 32 games, and being named in the K-League 1 Best 11 midfielder category.

Wearing a Pohang uniform and becoming a finalist for the K-League 1 Most Valuable Player (MVP), he suddenly moved to Incheon United last month.

This is because he could not find an agreement in the negotiation process with Pohang.

Coach Kim said, “If someone falls out, it becomes difficult right away,” but “even if it is difficult at the moment, our soccer will eventually come out.”

It means that they will build a team regardless of Shin Jin-ho’s departure.

Director Kim wasn’t the only one who wanted to prepare for the ‘post Shin Jin-ho’ era.

Shin Jin-ho was the captain last season.

‘Captain of the year’ Kim Seung-dae said, “When the situation changes, people compare it to before.

He said, “Pohang has produced very good results. It can be compared with this season,” he said.

Anticipating a head-to-head confrontation with Shin Jin-ho, who moved the team, he also burned his fighting spirit.

Shin Jin-ho also joined midfielder Lee Myung-joo from Pohang in Incheon’s midfield, and Kim Seung-dae said at first, “All the seniors who were good together went there. I hope both of them do better.”

Then he suddenly said, “I have that idea, but I’ll try to catch it during the season. I want to show that Pohang is a team that can’t be put together even if the two players work together.” he said forcefully

The player who feels Shin Jin-ho’s presence the most must be midfielder Kim Jong-woo, who was recruited as a ‘substitute’.

Manager Kim said, “As Jin-ho left, I thought about which choice would be the right choice. Players ranked 0 for recruitment had problems such as ransom,” and “From our point of view, (Kim Jong-woo) was the best choice.”

He continued, “Jinho spreads the ball widely, while Jongwoo strikes in a narrow space and becomes a link,” he expressed his anticipation.

Kim Jong-woo took a step further and showed his determination to erase the tag of ‘Shin Jin-ho’s replacement’ itself.

Kim Jong-woo said, “It would be a lie if I said that the story of ‘Shin Jin-ho’s replacement’ was not burdensome. It is my role to erase it.”

At the same time, he said, “I want to be the best player on the team, the king of Pohang,” and “I want to be a player who comes to mind when thinking of Pohang, like Jin-ho last year.” 안전놀이터

The relationship between Kim Jong-woo and Shin Jin-ho is also revealed in the uniform number.

The number 6 Kim Jong-woo received was the number Shin Jin-ho used. This number is also the number during Kim’s active career.

Kim Jong-woo said, “The coach also told me to do well, even though I am number 6,” and “I think he will try to use me in Jin-ho’s position. I am also thinking about that position.”

Kim Jong-woo, who will be in the same position as Shin Jin-ho, emphasized that he has the same capabilities as his predecessor.

Kim Jong-woo said, “I am confident that if I play a lot, the attack points will naturally follow.”