Dongmyung University Coach Lee Changwon Appointed as Head Coach of Korea U-19 National Football Team

National College Football Champions in Just 69 Days Since Founding... Master of Nurturing Prospects

The "prospect nurturing master" Lee Changwon, who led his team to a national championship just 69 days after its founding, has been appointed as the head coach of the U-19 Korean national football team.

Lee Changwon appointed as head coach of the U-19 South Korea national football team.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced, "Dongmyung University head coach Lee Changwon has been appointed as the head coach of the U-19 Korean national football team." According to football insiders, this appointment was based on his experience and achievements at this age group, rather than his reputation.

Coach Lee Changwon has achieved remarkable results wherever he has coached players at the high school and university levels. From 2011 to 2015, he led Pohang Jecheol High School to multiple championships, including three consecutive victories in the High School Club Challenge League. In particular, in 2014, he set an astonishing record of 40 wins, 4 draws, and 8 losses, with a winning rate of 83%.

At the inauguration ceremony of the Dongmyung University football team on December 20, Coach Lee Changwon declared, "Through attacking football, I will make this team one of the top university teams in a short period of time." It turned out he only needed 69 days to achieve this goal.

During those 69 days, the team built up their tactical understanding and organizational strength through as many practice matches as possible, including winter training camps in Yeongdeok and Hapcheon. By holding practice matches both in the morning and afternoon each day, they worked tirelessly to find the best combination. As a result, in their very first tournament, just 69 days after the team's founding, they defeated Ajou University to win the Spring University Football Federation Championship.

A championship in just two months after the team's founding. However, only six months later, the team faces the absence of its head coach. The university, which had provided full support by building a regulation-sized field and purchasing a new team bus for the football team, may have had concerns. Nevertheless, President Jeon Howan willingly accepted Lee Changwon's new challenge for the greater good and promised that he could return at any time.

Coach Lee Changwon said, "I am grateful for the president's active support. I am sorry to leave when there is still much to do at Dongmyung University, but I am leaving 'temporarily' for the duty of the nation. After fulfilling this role, I will return immediately."

The Dongmyung University football team will now be led by Coach Lee Seungjun, who has long assisted Lee Changwon and shared national tournament victories with him, as acting head coach.