“Team style? The most important thing in soccer is results.”
Dan Petrescu is the new head coach of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. The new head coach of Jeonbuk started his official duties on the 14th with a press conference at Hyundai Motor Studio in Goyang City, Gyeonggi-do. Petrescu is a Romanian ‘legend’. He has played in both the World Cup and European Championships, and spent many years at the prestigious Chelsea in the English Premier League. After his coaching career, he worked in Europe, including Romania, Russia, and Turkiye, as well as in Asia, including China, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. He’s won seven league titles with different teams and has experience in both the European and Asian Champions Leagues.
After receiving offers from the Middle East, Petrescu chose Jeonbuk on a whim. “I was approached by director Park Ji-sung and technical advisor Di Matteo,” says Petrescu, “and of course I chose Jeonbuk because they are the biggest club in Asia and Korea. I remember being amazed when I played against them in China. I was also impressed by the facilities and the passion of the fans,” he said. “Everyone supported my decision to go to Korea. I have lifted many trophies as a coach and as a player. I’ve always taken the initiative, and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but I think this time it will work out.”
All eyes now turn to Petrescu’s style of play. “I think Petrescu’s aggressive style will be a good fit for Jeonbuk,” Park said. However, Petrescu emphasized “results,” not a specific style. He said, “The most important thing in soccer is the result. The team style is not important. The result is more important than the process of how to win. My own goal is also only to win,” he said. The goal was also to win. “My goal is to win the next game,” said Petrescu. This is my style of play. I don’t think about the final standings of the season, I just focus on the next game. In the long run, the goal is to win the championship next year,” he emphasized.
As a mid-season appointment, it’s important to get to know Jeonbuk, Korea, and the K League style quickly. “Of course, I prefer to be here from the start of the season, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity at Jeonbuk. I’ve done well in my previous teams, so I think I can do the same here. It won’t be easy, but I think I’ll have a lot of chances because they have quality. I want to get to know the players quickly and come up with good tactics.” With his extensive experience in Asia, he also gave his assessment of the K League. “It’s bold, aggressive, and faster than other leagues. Just look at the Korean players who play in Europe, they are great.” 먹튀검증
Petrescu said he would focus on his role as a ‘manager’ rather than a tactician. “My role is to motivate and prepare them physically. I think the most important thing is to make them understand what I want.” He is already being called ‘Danbury’. “I like being called ‘Danverge’,” says Petrescu. I want to be a father figure to my players, and I want to take care of them like a son. That’s why my current coaching staff is made up of players I used to teach. I have a good relationship with my former players and we miss each other.”
Petrescu will lead the team in training from the 15th. He was accompanied by head coach Valeriu Bordeanu and physical coach Bogdan Aldea. After training together for about 10 days, the team will make its debut against Gwangju FC on the 24th.