Seoul, South Korea - In a dramatic turn of events, Suwon Samsung Bluewings, a team with a rich history in South Korean professional football, was relegated to the K League 2 after a goalless draw with Gangwon FC. The match, which took place at the Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, left Suwon Samsung at the bottom of the K League 1 standings with 33 points.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the relegation marks a significant decline for the once-dominant club, which was established in 1995 and joined the K League in 1996. Suwon Samsung has a storied history, winning four K League titles, five FA Cup titles, and six K League Cups since its inception.
The club's downfall began nearly a decade ago when Samsung Group transferred its operational control to Cheil Worldwide, its marketing arm. Following this shift, the club's aggressive spending on players was replaced by cost-cutting measures, leading to a gradual decrease in team competitiveness. In 2013, Suwon Samsung had the highest payroll in the K League, but by last year, their expenditure on players had dropped significantly, ranking eighth among 12 teams.
The team's performance reflected this decline. After finishing as runners-up in 2014 and 2015, they fell to seventh place in 2016 and continued to struggle in subsequent years. Last year, they narrowly avoided relegation by winning a promotion-relegation playoff, but this year they finished with the worst record in the top division, thus missing out on a playoff opportunity.
This decline in fortunes was accompanied by frequent coaching changes. Since July 2020, Suwon Samsung has seen three head coaches and three caretaker bosses, with the latest being Yeom Ki-hun, a former player-coach who took over as caretaker in September. Yeom, visibly emotional in the post-match press conference, expressed regret over the team's performance and highlighted the management's reduced investment in player acquisitions compared to the past.
In contrast, other K League teams like Ulsan Hyundai FC have increased their spending, correlating with their recent success in the league. This disparity underscores the challenges faced by Suwon Samsung in competing at the top level.
The team's relegation was met with emotional reactions from fans and players alike, with many expressing their disappointment and frustration at the club's decline.