Assistant to Mr. Kim Sang-sik takes the hot seat at Thanh Hoa Club: Who is coach Choi Won-kwon?

Coach Choi Won-kwon used to play for the Korean national team.

Choi Won-kwon, born in 1981, was a versatile player, playing as a defender and right midfielder. During his international career, he played 4 times for the Korean national team and 27 times for the U.23 team.

During his playing career, he and Anyang LG Cheetahs (now FC Seoul) won the K-League in 2000, were runners-up in 2001 and 2002, won the Korean Super Cup and League Cup in 2001, and finished second in the AFC Champions League 2002.

Starting his coaching career in 2016, Mr. Choi worked for Daegu Club before moving to Vietnam and becoming an assistant to coach Kim Sang-sik in the Vietnam national team.

In this role, he contributed significantly to the AFF Cup 2024 championship. Coach Choi's coaching philosophy bears a strong mark of pragmatism - prioritizing solidity in defense with an organized style of play, emphasizing the ability to counterattack quickly.

He is famous for his "double-decker bus" style of play, creating stability and cohesion among the players.

Sharing about life in Vietnam, Coach Choi Won-kwon said he loves the atmosphere and cultural beauty of Hanoi . “When I am not busy with football, I often walk around Hoan Kiem Old Quarter, drink coffee and take photos.

I also like to go to West Lake, visit museums and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. In the near future, I want to explore all the museums in the capital," he shared.

The appointment of coach Choi Won-kwon is expected to bring a new breath of fresh air to Thanh Hoa Club in the 2025-2026 season.