The KIA Tigers replaced Kim Jong-kook on Tuesday. The decision was made on the day the coaching staff departed the spring camp. Kim Jong-kook will undergo a substantial examination of an arrest warrant by the prosecution on Tuesday. He will also be suspected of having been in breach of trust along with former general manager Jang Jung-seok.
Former coach Kim Jong-kook could be arrested or not. Separately, he could be convicted by a court or acquitted and released. Separately, KIA saw that the fact that the coach requested an arrest warrant for his personal irregularities was an act that damaged its dignity.
KIA will hold its spring camp under Jin Gap-yong, its chief coach. However, Kia has not officially given the title of acting coach. Consequently, Kia’s move is interpreted as its willingness to appoint a new coach quickly. In fact, Kia included a message in its press release to dismiss former coach Kim Jong-guk that it would decide on a successor as soon as possible.
In fact, Kia plans to start hiring a new coach independently of hosting the Canberra Spring Camp. The process requires reporting from the parent company and receiving feedback. It is impossible to recruit a new coach overnight and send him to Canberra. However, the fact that the team quickly appoints a new coach is interpreted as its commitment to allow the new coach to lead the spring camp to some extent.
Many baseball players are already mentioned as candidates for the successor. Considering the seriousness of the issue, there are views that experienced wild men are suitable, and that internal promotion is suitable to deal with the situation in reality. The club will also collect various views from inside and outside and report the candidate to the parent company.
The most interesting outsider is former LG Twins coach Lee Jong-beom, who has been mentioned every time a new coach was selected for the past decade or so. He is an indispensable superstar in the history of the Tigers and a legend of legend recognized by KBO through its 40th anniversary two years ago.
Former coach Lee Jong-beom (54) left his club after announcing his intention to retire early in the 2012 season. After his retirement, he failed to meet Kia. He worked as a coach for Hanwha Eagles and LG. He also served as a second-tier coach at LG. He also worked as a commentator at a sports cable network. He also has training experience as a leader overseas. At this point, he is staying in the U.S. to train as a leader.
The timing of Kia’s appointment of a new coach was slightly different, and the team also chose a different personnel appointment. At this point, it is uncertain whether Kia will include former coach Lee Jong-beom in its candidate list. Even if Kia makes it into the candidate list, it also needs to confirm whether it intends to include former coach Lee Jong-beom who is preparing for U.S. training. Former coach Lee Jong-beom is truly the father of Lee Jung-hoo (aged 26, San Francisco Giants) and father-in-law of Ko Woo-seok (aged 26, San Diego Padres). While receiving training in the U.S., he is also reportedly taking care of his son and son-in-law.
Former coach Lee Jong-beom appeared on a radio program after resigning from LG after the 2023 season and said, “I have a dream to become a manager of the KBO League in the future. Why not? Coincidentally, this is the right time to return to KIA.”
If realized, the team would be the best in terms of buzz. Although he has no experience as a manager of the main league, he is hardly a beginner because he has solid leadership experience. On the other hand, it is true that he needs time to get to know Kia as it is a long time since he left the Kia Tigers. For Kia, it is possible to consider how these advantages and disadvantages will affect the team immediately in sealing off its mess, if former coach Lee Jong-beom is included in the list of coach candidates. 메이저사이트
In the end, the thoughts of former coach Lee Jong-beom and the thoughts of the KIA team and its parent company are important. At this point, it is difficult to know at all whether Lee Jong-beom will return to KIA for the first time in 12 years or make his debut as a manager. However, old Tigers fans will be thrilled just thinking about it.