Relegation is a cold reality, and if you don’t make it out of the first year, you could end up stuck in the second division… Warning to Incheon (SS Focus)

Sports | soccer

(Sports Seoul | Reporter Jeong Da-wo) The second division is ‘wild’. If you don’t escape quickly, there is a high risk of becoming trapped.

Incheon United, the only K-League city and provincial club without any experience in the second division, experienced its first relegation in the club’s history. Incheon in 2025 is part of K League 2.

Relegation is a reality. Incheon must experience the aftermath of relegation immediately. It is a gateway that no one can avoid. Although this is a natural step, the budget is expected to undergo a reduction process. Unless they maintain a fandom similar to that of Suwon Samsung, their income will naturally decrease. The city’s budget must also be drastically reduced.

Usually, in other clubs, key managers pack up their bags after relegation. Incheon Headquarters CEO Jeon Jeon-soo also expressed his resignation. Director Choi Young-geun did not reveal a clear position regarding his future.

The former representative is a person who has been well-received both internally and externally for quietly performing his duties regardless of political affiliation. We received absolute support from Incheon fans. Two years ago, when the former CEO announced that he would leave the team, an incident occurred where fans came forward and tried to dissuade him.

Until CEO Jeon arrived, Incheon was a team that suffered from various conflicts of interest in the region. Among those who know Incheon well, there are many voices concerned about various problems that will arise in the future for the team if the former CEO, who led the team stably, disappears. If the team falls to the second division and a CEO does not come to stabilize the situation, the team may fall into further confusion.

Additionally, as key players leave and the squad’s level decreases, its power declines. This could lead to a structure that makes it difficult to be competitive in the second division league, where the leveling is becoming more and more intense and fierce.

The price of relegation is bitter. I don’t know when I’ll be promoted again. Jeonnam Dragons has been unable to escape the second division since being relegated in 2018. Busan I’Park also failed to get promoted every time after falling to K-League 2 in 2020. Seongnam FC is no different. Last year’s relegated team, Suwon Samsung, also ended its first season in the second division in 6th place. These are all teams that have made a mark in professional soccer in their own way. There is no guarantee that these teams will be promoted come 2025.

There are two main ways to achieve rapid promotion. The goal is to build a strong military force by actively spending the budget without reducing it. If not, you can appoint a truly outstanding coach and aim for promotion.

Jeju United, which was relegated in 2019, maintained its budget and succeeded in returning to the first division after one season by hiring coach Ki-il Nam, who had experience of being promoted twice. Although the budget was small, Gwangju FC returned to K-League 1 after being relegated in 2021 by appointing coach Lee Jeong-hyo, who has now become the ‘hot guy’ of the K-League.

The survival DNA has disappeared, and Incheon must now start with zero base in the second division. It may depend on Incheon’s actions whether they will fall further to the bottom or quickly return to the first stage and soar spectacularly. weo@sportsseoul.com