[News Figures] Hanwha Abruptly Dismisses Suvero... New Manager Choi Won-ho

Leadership Recognized for Bringing Out Potential of Young Players
Coach Choi: "I Will Do My Best to Repay Fans' Support"
Contract Terms: 3 Years, Total 1.4 Billion Won

Hanwha Eagles have abruptly dismissed manager Carlos Subero and appointed Choi Won-ho, the manager of the second team, as the new head coach. This marks a managerial change after just 31 games into the season.

The detailed reasons for the dismissal have not been disclosed, but it is reported that there were concerns regarding the team's direction. Manager Subero, who led the team for the past two years, left before completing his three-year contract. Up to the game against Samsung on the 11th, he recorded a total of 106 wins, 15 draws, and 198 losses.

After the game against Samsung held at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park on the 11th, Hanwha announced Subero's dismissal and appointed Choi Won-ho, the Futures (second team) manager, as the 13th manager. The contract terms are for three years with a total amount of 1.4 billion KRW (200 million KRW signing bonus, 300 million KRW annual salary, and 300 million KRW in options).

Hanwha Eagles decided to appoint Manager Choi Won-ho highly valuing his four seasons with the club, his detailed understanding of the players, leadership that draws out the potential of young players, and team management that focuses on "winning baseball" demonstrated with the Futures team by placing players in the right positions at the right time.

Choi Won-ho, appointed as the acting manager of Hanwha's first team and manager of the second team. Photo by Hanwha Eagles

Manager Choi Won-ho debuted in the KBO League in 1996 with Hyundai Unicorns, later played for LG Twins, and retired as a player in 2009. Since then, he has gained extensive experience as a pitching coach for LG, a commentator, and a technical committee member for the national team. He is a childhood friend and cousin-in-law of Hanwha General Manager Son Hyuk. Son's wife, Han Hee-won, who played on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, is the cousin of Choi's wife, Han Hee-jin. Han Hee-jin is also a former national team member and played on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour.

Choi was appointed as the Futures manager of Hanwha Eagles in November 2019. From June 2020, he served as acting manager leading the first team. He returned as the Futures head coach in 2021, reorganizing the Futures development system and achieving the Northern League championship in the 2022 season along with a record 14 consecutive wins in the Futures League.

Manager Choi stated upon his appointment, "Although it is sudden to take on this important role mid-season and I am a bit overwhelmed, I plan to work hard with a great coaching staff and players to build the team." He added, "Manager Subero gave many players diverse experiences. Together with the coaching staff, we need to ensure that the players' experiences settle well within the team’s baseball. I feel a great sense of responsibility. I will do my best within the given conditions, with the help of the coaching staff, so that Hanwha Eagles can grow alongside promising young players and repay the fans' support."