Anyang Manager Yoo Byung-hoon Will Not Step Down: "I Will Fulfill My Responsibility"

FC Anyang Manager Yoo Byung-hoon of K League 1 has reversed his decision to voluntarily step down and will remain in his position.

Manager Yoo met with reporters ahead of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 Round 27 home match against Gangwon FC held at the Anyang Stadium today (September 6).

Manager Yoo first apologized, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the Korea Professional Football League, the press corps, and the fans for failing to attend the post-match press conference after the match against Bucheon FC. I am also sorry for causing worry and concern to the mayor, the club, the fans, and the squad through various subsequent reports."

He added, "I will show responsibility through my actions and results on the pitch."

Addressing the unsettled players, he said, "I do not think the players should bear or take responsibility for matters outside of the match. That is something I must shoulder."

Previously, Manager Yoo skipped the post-match press conference after drawing 1–1 in an away match of the K League 1 Round 26 against Bucheon on August 29.

The match against Bucheon was Manager Yoo's 100th game as a K League head coach, making his choice an exceptional one as he risked disciplinary action for violating league regulations.

At the time, the club informed reporters that "he decided not to attend the press conference due to performance reasons," but news subsequently broke that Manager Yoo intended to resign.

According to the club, Manager Yoo's decision to resign stemmed from Anyang General Manager Lee Woo-hyung, his mentor, expressing his intent to step down.

General Manager Lee had expressed his intention to resign to take responsibility after Anyang suffered a 0–7 crushing defeat against FC Seoul in a home match on August 22, extending their losing streak to four games.

Consequently, Manager Yoo also attempted to submit his resignation on August 31.

Manager Yoo's view was that the manager should bear the responsibility for poor performance.

Manager Yoo's determination to resign was so resolute that even a club official confessed, "We thought the manager was leaving."

However, after having a discussion on August 31 with Anyang Mayor Max Dae-ho, who is the club owner, General Manager Lee, and Anyang supporters, Manager Yoo decided after much deliberation to continue leading the team.

General Manager Lee also decided to continue his journey with the club.

Manager Yoo has been normally directing team training since September 2, preparing for this match against Gangwon.

Regarding his decision to withdraw his resignation, he stated, "It is because of my sense of responsibility and affection for Anyang."

A club official drew a line, stating that Manager Yoo's expression of resignation was due to performance and not because of external pressure from outside the squad or public opinion, as raised by some.

Manager Yoo joined Anyang, a K League 2 club founded in 2013, as a coach and assisted General Manager Lee, who was the inaugural head coach.

Starting from the 2021 season, he worked together for three seasons as chief assistant coach with General Manager Lee, who took charge as Anyang manager again.

Subsequently, succeeding General Manager Lee, he took the helm of the team starting in 2024 and achieved promotion to K League 1 in his first year in office.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.