Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (Korean: 전북 현대 모터스 FC) is a South Korean professional football club based in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province that competes in the K League 1, the top tier of South Korean football. Jeonbuk have won the K League a record nine times, including five consecutive titles between 2017 and 2021, and the Korean FA Cup five times.[1] Internationally, the club have won the AFC Champions League twice, first in 2006, becoming the first club from East Asia to win the tournament since it was rebranded in 2003. Jeonbuk have also made two appearances in the FIFA Club World Cup, most recently in the 2016 edition. The club's home ground is the Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Full nameJeonbuk Hyundai Motors Football Club
전북 현대 모터스 축구단
Founded1994; 31 years ago (1994)
(as Chonbuk Dinos)
GroundJeonju World Cup Stadium
Capacity42,477
OwnerHyundai Motor Company
ChairmanChung Eui-sun
ManagerGus Poyet
LeagueK League 1
2024K League 1, 10th of 12
Websitehyundai-motorsfc.com
Current season
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Hangul
전북 현대 모터스
Hanja
全北 現代 모터스
Revised RomanizationJeonbuk Hyeondae Moteoseu
McCune–ReischauerChŏnbuk Hyŏndae Mot'ŏsŭ

History

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Beginnings

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Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' predecessor was founded in January 1993 under the name Wansan Pumas. Oh Hyung-keun was the founder of the team, the first to be named after its home location in K League history. However, they failed to raise enough funds and the club went bankrupt before they could take their place in the K League. Many people wanted to keep the club and Bobae Ltd., a local alcohol producer, offered financial support to the club. In 1994, they joined the K League after renaming as Chonbuk Buffalo, but ran into financial problems and were dissolved after the final match of the 1994 season.

In 1994, South Korea was in the campaign to host the 2002 FIFA World Cup, so Hyundai Motors took over the Buffaloes' players and formed a new club called Chonbuk Dinos on 12 December 1994. The K League's official policy is that Chonbuk Buffalo and Chonbuk Dinos (later renaming as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) are two different clubs.[1]

Domination in K League and success in Asia (2005–2021)

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Since 1994, Jeonbuk had not seriously challenged for the K League title, often languishing in mid-table.[1] After Choi Kang-hee was appointed manager in July 2005, Jeonbuk won the Korean FA Cup in December of that year.[1] In 2006, Jeonbuk finished a disappointing eleventh in the K League, however, they won their first AFC Champions League title.[1] En route to the final, they defeated the Japanese champions, Gamba Osaka, and China's Shanghai Shenhua,[2] as well as Ulsan Horang-i, the South Korean champions, in the semi-finals.[3] They then triumphed 3–2 on aggregate over Al-Karamah, the champions of Syria, in the final.[4]

As AFC Champions League winners, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors qualified for the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup.[5] They lost their first game 1–0 to América in the quarter-finals on 10 December, however, they defeated Auckland City 3–0 on 14 December and finished fifth in the tournament.[5] In 2009, Jeonbuk became the Korean champions for the first time after beating Seongnam Ilhwa 3–1 on aggregate in the K League Championship.[1][6] They repeated the feat in 2011 and won their second domestic title after defeating Ulsan Hyundai 4–2 in the final.[7][8] The same year, they also reached the AFC Champions League final, where they lost to Al-Sadd after a penalty shoot-out.[9]

With significant investment from its parent company, Jeonbuk completed its state of the art Yulsori Clubhouse (club training center) in nearby Wanju County in 2013.[10] Hyundai's generous support and Choi Kang-hee's aggressive play style led to the club dominating the K League for the next several years, with the club winning the 2014 and 2015 titles.

2016 was a tumultuous year for Jeonbuk. The club won their second AFC Champions League title after defeating Al-Ain 3–2 on aggregate,[11] but the team came under fire in the domestic front for allegedly bribing referees through a scout.[12] The club was fined and had nine points deducted from their 2016 league campaign, resulting in rivals FC Seoul claiming the title. Despite being champions of Asia, the club's participation in the 2017 AFC Champions League was revoked due to this incident.[13]

The club continued to enjoy success in the K League, securing the next five consecutive titles.[14] Additionally, they won the 2020 Korean FA Cup, defeating rising rivals Ulsan over two legs to mark their first-ever domestic double.[15]

Decline (2022–present)

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The 2022 season marked the beginning of Jeonbuk's decline, dramatically losing the title to now chief rivals Ulsan[16] by three points. The club, however, won the 2022 Korean FA Cup. The following year led to even poorer results, with the club finishing fourth in the 2023 season,[17] their lowest league finish since 2008. The club also failed to win a second consecutive FA Cup, being defeated by Pohang Steelers in the 2023 final.[18] The fourth-place finish and failure to win the FA Cup meant the club was unable to participate in the rebranded 2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite.

Jeonbuk's decline escalated in the 2024 season, with the club finishing tenth and flirting with relegation for the first time in its history.[19] The club narrowly avoided relegation to K League 2 by defeating Seoul E-Land in the promotion-relegation play-offs.[20]

In December 2024, Jeonbuk appointed Uruguayan manager Gus Poyet in a bid to achieve its former glory.[21]

Supporters and rivalries

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Supporters

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Jeonbuk is the most popular football club and the second most popular sports team in South Korea, with an estimated over two million supporters,[22] larger than the entire population of the North Jeolla Province it represents. The club has almost half a million followers on TikTok, boosted by the international popularity of former player Cho Gue-sung, who scored a brace in South Korea's group stage match versus Ghana in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[23]

The club's main supporters group is called the Mad Green Boys, and the club's fans have been involved in several notable incidents. In a victorious 2011 AFC Champions League match versus J.League side Cerezo Osaka, a supporter came under fire for holding up a sign 'congratulating' Japan on the 2011 earthquake in the east of the country. The supporter later apologized online for his actions.[24]

Rivalries

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Seoul Capital Area clubs

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Jeonbuk shares strong rivalries with FC Seoul (Jeonseol Match)[25] and Suwon Samsung Bluewings (Gongseongjeon).[26] The three-way rivalry these clubs share represent the business rivalry between their parent companies Hyundai, LG, and Samsung - three of the largest business conglomerates in South Korea. Their rivalry was the most intense in the 2010s, when Jeonbuk came to dominate the K League while Seoul and Suwon declined.

Hyundai Derby

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Since the late 2010s, Jeonbuk's biggest league rival came to be Ulsan HD. Ulsan became the main club to challenge Jeonbuk's domestic dominance, finally breaking the club's five-year title winning streak in 2022. The matches between the two giants, now seen as the biggest derby in the country, continue to be very consequential for both clubs.[27]

Although the parent companies of the two clubs share the Hyundai name, they are legally separate business entities.

International

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In the 2010s, Jeonbuk developed an intense international rivalry with Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande from frequently playing each other in the AFC Champions League.[28] The two teams were the dominant sides of their respective leagues and their most frequent representatives on the continental stage. Several South Korean players and staff members were instrumental to Guangzhou's victories over Jeonbuk and in Asia, as the club and other Chinese Super League teams used their large financial backing to attract South Korean talent.[29]

Club facilities

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Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors owns one of the most modern club training facilities in Asia, the Yulsori Clubhouse located in Bongdong-eup, Wanju County, modeled after the training facilities of top European clubs.[30] The state-of-the-art training center includes a large hydrotherapy room, indoor and outdoor training grounds, personal sleeping rooms, a gym, and a cafeteria.[31]

Players

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Current squad

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As of 29 February 2024[32]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   KOR Kim Jeong-hoon
2 DF   CZE Tomáš Petrášek
3 DF   KOR Jeong Tae-wook
4 MF   KOR Park Jin-seop (captain)
5 DF   KOR Jang Min-jun
6 MF   KOR Lee Soo-bin
7 MF   KOR Han Kyo-won
8 MF   KOR Lee Yeong-jae
9 FW   BRA Tiago Orobó
10 FW   KOR Song Min-kyu
11 MF   KOR Lee Dong-jun
13 GK   KOR Jeong Min-ki
14 DF   KOR Lee Jae-ik
15 DF   KOR Ku Ja-ryong
16 FW   KOR Park Jae-yong
17 DF   KOR Ahn Hyeon-beom
18 FW   KOR Lee Jun-ho
19 MF   GHA Nana Boateng
21 DF   KOR Park Chang-woo
22 DF   KOR Jeong Woo-jae
23 DF   KOR Kim Jin-su
24 DF   KOR Ma Ji-kang
25 DF   KOR Choi Chul-soon
26 DF   KOR Hong Jeong-ho
27 MF   KOR Moon Seon-min
No. Pos. Nation Player
28 MF   KOR Maeng Seong-ung
29 MF   KOR Lee Ji-hoon
30 MF   KOR Lee Kyu-dong
31 GK   KOR Gong Si-hyeon
32 MF   KOR Kim Rae-woo
33 MF   KOR Jeon Byung-kwan
34 MF   KOR Um Seung-min
35 MF   KOR Kang Yeong-seok
36 MF   KOR Jang Nam-ung
37 MF   KOR Park Jun-beom
38 GK   KOR Kim Tae-yang
39 DF   KOR Kim Tae-hwan
40 DF   KOR Lee Woo-yeon
47 MF   KOR Park Chae-joon
49 FW   KOR Sung Jin-young
50 DF   KOR Jin Si-woo
55 GK   KOR Hwang Jae-yun
70 DF   KOR Park Si-hwa
77 MF   KOR Kwon Chang-hoon
80 FW   BRA Marcus Vinicius
88 MF   KOR Park Kyu-min
96 MF   KOR Park Ju-yeong
98 FW   BRA Hernandes Rodrigues
99 MF   KOR Kim Chang-hoon

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK   KOR Jeon Ji-wan (to FC Ryukyu)
GK   KOR Kim Jun-hong (to Gimcheon Sangmu for military duty)
DF   KOR Lee You-hyeon (to Gangwon FC)
MF   KOR Kang Sang-yoon (to Suwon FC)
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF   KOR Kim Jin-gyu (to Gimcheon Sangmu for military duty)
MF   KOR Lee Min-hyuk (to Gyeongnam FC)
MF   KOR Oh Jae-hyeok (to Seongnam FC)

Honours

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Domestic

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International

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Backroom staff

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Coaching staff

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Source: Official website[33]

Support staff

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  • Physiotherapist:   Gilvan Oliveira
  • Medical department:   Kim Jae-oh,   Kim Byeong-seon,   Lee Gyu-yeol
  • Interpreters:   Kim Min-su,   Mun Keon-ho,   Choe Dong-eun
  • Kit manager:   Lee Min-ho
  • Analysts:   Lee Sun-gu,   Kim Ki-hyun

Source: Official website[34]

Managers

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No. Name From To Season(s)
1   Cha Kyung-bok 1994/11/26 1996/12/05 1995–1996
2   Choi Man-hee 1996/12/06 2001/07/18 1997–2001
C   Nam Dae-sik 2001/07/19 2001/10/03 2001
3   Cho Yoon-hwan 2001/10/04 2005/06/12 2001–2005
C   Kim Hyung-yul 2005/06/13 2005/07/10 2005
4   Choi Kang-hee 2005/07/04
2013/06/28
2011/12/21
2018/12/02
2005–2011
2013–2018
C   Lee Heung-sil 2012/01/05 2012/12/12 2012
C   Fábio Lefundes 2012/12/20 2013/06/01 2013
C   Shin Hong-gi 2013/06/25 2013/06/27 2013
5   José Morais 2018/12/03 2020/12/06 2019–2020
6   Kim Sang-sik 2020/12/22 2023/05/04[35] 2021–2023
C   Kim Do-heon 2023/05/04 2023/06/08 2023
7   Dan Petrescu 2023/06/09[36] 2024/04/06[37] 2023–2024
C   Park Won-jae 2024/04/07 2024/05/26 2024
8   Kim Do-heon 2024/05/27 2024/12/16 2024
9   Gus Poyet 2024/12/24 present 2025–

Season-by-season records

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Domestic record

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Season Division Tms. Pos. FA Cup
1995 1 8 7
1996 9 5 Quarter-final
1997 10 6 Round of 16
1998 6 Round of 16
1999 7 Runners-up
2000 4 Winners
2001 9 Semi-final
2002 7 Quarter-final
2003 12 5 Winners
2004 13 6 Quarter-final
2005 12 Winners
2006 14 11 Round of 16
2007 8 Round of 16
2008 4 Quarter-final
2009 15 1 Semi-final
2010 3 Quarter-final
2011 16 1 Round of 16
2012 2 Quarter-final
2013 14 3 Runners-up
2014 12 1 Semi-final
2015 1 Round of 16
2016 2 Quarter-final
2017 1 Fourth round
2018 1 Round of 16
2019 1 Round of 32
2020 1 Winners
2021 1 Round of 16
2022 2 Winners
2023 4 Runners-up
2024 10 Round of 16

AFC Champions League record

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All results list Jeonbuk's goal tally first.

Season Round Opposition Home Away Agg.
2004 Group E   Júbilo Iwata 1–2 4–2 1st
  Shanghai Shenhua 0–1 1–0
  BEC Tero Sasana 4–0 4–0
Quarter-final   Al-Ain 4–1 1–0 5–1
Semi-final   Al-Ittihad 2–2 1–2 3–4
2006 Group E   Gamba Osaka 3–2 1–1 1st
  Dalian Shide 3–1 0–1
  Da Nang 3–0 1–0
Quarter-final   Shanghai Shenhua 4–2 0–1 4–3
Semi-final   Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i 2–3 4–1 6–5
Final   Al-Karamah 2–0 1–2 3–2
2007 Quarter-final   Urawa Red Diamonds 0–2 1–2 1–4
2010 Group F   Persipura Jayapura 8–0 4–1 2nd
  Kashima Antlers 1–2 1–2
  Changchun Yatai 1–0 2–1
Round of 16   Adelaide United 3–2 (a.e.t.)
Quarter-final   Al-Shabab 0–2 1–0 1–2
2011 Group G   Shandong Luneng 1–0 2–1 1st
  Arema 6–0 4–0
  Cerezo Osaka 1–0 0–1
Round of 16   Tianjin TEDA 3–0
Quarter-final   Cerezo Osaka 6–1 3–4 9–5
Semi-final   Al-Ittihad 2–1 3–2 5–3
Final   Al-Sadd 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(2–4 p)
2012 Group H   Guangzhou Evergrande 1–5 3–1 3rd
  Kashiwa Reysol 0–2 1–5
  Buriram United 3–2 2–0
2013 Group F   Muangthong United 2–0 2–2 2nd
  Guangzhou Evergrande 1–1 0–0
  Urawa Red Diamonds 2–2 3–1
Round of 16   Kashiwa Reysol 0–2 2–3 2–5
2014 Group G   Yokohama F. Marinos 3–0 1–2 2nd
  Melbourne Victory 0–0 2–2
  Guangzhou Evergrande 1–0 1–3
Round of 16   Pohang Steelers 1–2 0–1 1–3
2015 Group E   Kashiwa Reysol 0–0 2–3 2nd
  Shandong Luneng 4–1 4–1
  Becamex Binh Duong 3–0 1–1
Round of 16   Beijing Guoan 1–1 1–0 2–1
Quarter-final   Gamba Osaka 0–0 2–3 2–3
2016 Group E   FC Tokyo 2–1 3–0 1st
  Jiangsu Suning 2–2 2–3
  Becamex Binh Duong 2–0 2–3
Round of 16   Melbourne Victory 2–1 1–1 3–2
Quarter-final   Shanghai SIPG 5–0 0–0 5–0
Semi-final   FC Seoul 4–1 1–2 5–3
Final   Al-Ain 2–1 1–1 3–2
2018 Group E   Kashiwa Reysol 3–2 2–0 1st
  Kitchee 3–0 6–0
  Tianjin Quanjian 6–3 2–4
Round of 16   Buriram United 2–0 2–3 4–3
Quarter-final   Suwon Samsung Bluewings 0–3 3–0 (a.e.t.) 3–3
(2–4 p)
2019 Group G   Beijing Guoan 3–1 1–0 1st
  Buriram United 0–0 0–1
  Urawa Red Diamonds 2–1 1–0
Round of 16   Shanghai SIPG 1–1 (a.e.t.) 1–1 2–2
(3–5 p)
2020 Group H[a]   Yokohama F. Marinos 1–2 1–4 3rd
  Shanghai SIPG 1–2 2–0
  Sydney FC 1–0 2–2
2021 Group H[a]   Chiangrai United 2–1 3–1 1st
  Gamba Osaka 2–1 2–2
  Tampines Rovers 9–0 4–0
Round of 16   BG Pathum United 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)
Quarter-final   Ulsan Hyundai 2–3 (a.e.t.)
2022 Group H[a]   Sydney FC 0–0 3–2 2nd
  Yokohama F. Marinos 1–1 1–0
  Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 1–0 1–1
Round of 16   Daegu FC 2–1 (a.e.t.)
Quarter-final   Vissel Kobe 3–1 (a.e.t.)
Semi-final   Urawa Red Diamonds 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(1–3 p)
2023–24 Group F   Kitchee 2–1 2–1 2nd
  Bangkok United 3–2 2–3
  Lion City Sailors 3–0 0–2
Round of 16   Pohang Steelers 2–0 1–1 3–1
Quarter-final   Ulsan HD 1–1 0–1 1–2
  1. ^ a b c Matches were played at neutral venues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with "home" and "away" used for administrative purposes.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC". K League. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  2. ^ "AFC Champions League 2006 – Quarter-finals". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  3. ^ "AFC Champions League 2006 – Semi-finals". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  4. ^ "AFC Champions League 2006 – Final". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  5. ^ a b "FIFA Club World Cup 2006". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  6. ^ Kang, Seung-woo (6 December 2009). "Jeonbuk Motors Win First K-League Titles". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  7. ^ "Jeonbuk wins K-League championship". Yonhap News Agency. 4 December 2011. Archived from the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  8. ^ "Jeonbuk, Ulsan to clash for K-League championship". Yonhap News Agency. 28 November 2011. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  9. ^ "History for Qatar as Al Sadd win Asian title in dramatic shootout". CNN. 5 November 2011. Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  10. ^ "[SS현장] '유럽 명문클럽' 못잖은 전북 클럽하우스, 직접 가보니…". The Fact (in Korean). 4 October 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  11. ^ "Jeonbuk clinch ticket to Japan". FIFA. 26 November 2016. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  12. ^ Ghim, Roy (23 May 2016). "K-League Scandal v4.0 Exploding: Jeonbuk's Turn in the Spotlight". Tavern of the Taeguk Warriors. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  13. ^ "Asian Champions League: Winners Jeonbuk Motors barred for bribery scandal". BBC Sport. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  14. ^ "Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors make history with 5th straight K League title". The Korea Times. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  15. ^ "Lee Seung-gi stars as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors complete historic double with Korean FA Cup win". Asian Football Confederation. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  16. ^ "WATCH: Korea fans' spine-tingling celebrations after Ulsan's insane K League comeback". Goal.com. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  17. ^ "South Korea 2023". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  18. ^ Yoo, Jee-ho (4 November 2023). "Pohang Steelers beat rivals Jeonbuk for FA Cup title". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  19. ^ Paik, Ji-hwan (5 July 2024). "Jeonbuk, Korea's most trophied club, are careening toward relegation. What happened?". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  20. ^ "Jeonbuk to stay in K League 1 after surviving playoff". The Korea Times. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  21. ^ "Gus Poyet vows to restore pride at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors after tough 2024". Korea JoongAng Daily. 1 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  22. ^ "가장 인기있는 프로스포츠 구단은 어느 팀?". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). 21 December 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  23. ^ "[IS 이슈] '팔로워 40배↑' 월드 스타 조규성 효과→전북 SNS '대박'". Nate Sports (in Korean). 31 December 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  24. ^ 조선일보 (31 July 2020). "'일본 대지진 야유' 문구 게시자, 사죄의 뜻 밝혀". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  25. ^ "[전북] 전북, '전주성으로 돌아온 전설매치'". K League (in Korean). Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  26. ^ "첫 번째 공성전은 '장군멍군'··· 수원, 전북 원정서 1대1 무승부". 스포츠공화국 (in Korean). 5 March 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  27. ^ "'현대가 더비 승리' 전북 외인들이 모두 터졌다, '데뷔전 데뷔골' 안드리고 효과". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 21 July 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  28. ^ "전북 '짜릿한 복수'". Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). 2 April 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  29. ^ Duerden, John (28 December 2015). "Chinese Soccer Teams Raid South Korean Clubs for Talent". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  30. ^ "세계로 가는 전북, '클럽하우스' 날개 달았다". No Cut News (in Korean). 4 October 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  31. ^ "전북이 ★ 딸 수밖에 없던 이유 '절대1강 클럽하우스'". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 26 July 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  32. ^ "프로팀" (in Korean). Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  33. ^ 코칭스태프 [Coaching staff] (in Korean). Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  34. ^ 지원스태프 [Support staff] (in Korean). Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  35. ^ "김상식 전 감독이 남긴 '작별 손편지'…"선수들과 팬들께 진심으로 죄송"". Segye Ilbo (in Korean). 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  36. ^ "K League giants Jeonbuk appoint Dan Petrescu as new head coach". Yonhap News Agency. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  37. ^ "Anunțul făcut în Coreea de Sud, după ce Dan Petrescu a plecat de la Jeonbuk". Sport.ro (in Romanian). 6 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
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