Shin Tae-yong Officially Joins Ulsan HD, Ready for Revenge in the K League

After closing a dramatic chapter with the Indonesian national team, Shin Tae-yong has returned home—not for a vacation, but to take on a new challenge. On August 5, 2025, the South Korean coach was officially appointed as head coach of Ulsan HD (formerly Ulsan Hyundai), replacing Kim Pan-gon, who was dismissed following the team’s poor performances in recent weeks.

For Shin, this is more than just a new job. It’s a meaningful homecoming—his return to South Korea’s domestic competition stage after more than a decade of international experience.

From Jakarta to Ulsan: A Nonstop Journey

Just after wrapping up his tenure with Indonesia, Shin Tae-yong didn’t need long to find his next destination. Ulsan HD, the reigning K League 1 champion, welcomed him with open arms. The club was in crisis—only two points from the last five matches and a bitter failure at the FIFA Club World Cup pushed management to act swiftly in finding a savior.

Shin emerged as the ideal candidate. Known for his discipline, vision, and deep understanding of Korean football, his appointment instantly sparked enthusiasm among Ulsan fans and the Korean football public.

Comeback After 13 Years: A Big Mission Awaits

Shin Tae-yong is no stranger to the K League. Before rising to fame as the head coach of both South Korea and Indonesia, he once managed Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma until 2012. Now, after 13 years of roaming across Asia, he returns home with far richer experience.

His new mission at Ulsan HD is no small feat:

• Restore the reigning champion’s winning form
• Maintain the club’s prestige in domestic and Asian competitions
• Rebuild the team’s identity and mentality, which had faltered under the previous coach

Bringing Three Trusted Assistants to Rebuild Ulsan

Shin doesn’t come alone. He brings along three trusted assistants who will help lay the new foundation in Ulsan’s locker room. Although their identities haven’t been revealed yet, they are believed to be the same people who helped transform Indonesia into a team full of energy and determination.

Their presence will support Shin’s signature methods: intensive training, character-building, and team-oriented play—elements that have been lacking in Ulsan’s game this season.

Warm Welcome from Fans and Management

It didn’t take long for Shin Tae-yong’s name to echo once again at Munsu Stadium. Fans welcomed him with hope and renewed excitement. The club officially introduced him via social media with an optimistic tone, calling him “the right coach to lead a new era for Ulsan.”

To the fans, Shin’s arrival is more than just a managerial change—it’s a symbol of revival.

Ulsan HD: A Giant in Need of Fresh Energy

As the second most successful club in South Korea after Jeonbuk, Ulsan HD is no ordinary team. With 13 major trophies, including two AFC Champions League titles and last season’s K League 1 championship, they’re a giant in Korean football.

But this season, their form has plummeted. Winless in the last five games, eliminated from global competition, and plagued by tactical inconsistency, the club’s management had had enough. Now, all eyes are on Shin—can he restore Ulsan’s glory before the season falls apart completely?

Shin Tae-yong, A New Leader Returns to His Homeland

After years of nurturing Indonesian football, forging the fighting spirit of the Garuda team, and leaving a lasting legacy in Southeast Asia, Shin Tae-yong returns as a stronger, wiser coach.

Now, under the skies of Ulsan, he faces a new challenge: not to build from scratch, but to rescue a fallen giant.

One thing’s for sure:
K League 1 has just gotten exciting again with the return of its general.