 | |||
| Full name | Seongnam Football Club 성남시민프로축구단 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Magpies | ||
| Short name | SFC | ||
| Founded | 18 March 1989; 36 years ago (18 March 1989) (as Ilhwa Chunma)[1] | ||
| Ground | Tancheon Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 16,146 | ||
| Owner | Seongnam City Council | ||
| Chairman | Shin Sang-jin (Mayor of Seongnam) | ||
| Manager | Jeon Kyung-jun | ||
| League | K League 2 | ||
| 2025 | K League 2, 5th of 14 | ||
| Website | www | ||
| Seongnam FC | |
| Hangul | 성남시민프로축구단 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Seongnam Simin Peuro Chukgudan |
| McCune–Reischauer | Sŏngnam Simin P'ŭro Ch'ukkudan |
Seongnam Football Club (Korean:성남 FC) is a South Korean professionalfootball club based inSeongnam that competes in theK League 2, the second tier of South Korean football. It is one of the most successful clubs inSouth Korea and theAsian Football Confederation, having won sevenK League 1 titles and 2AFC Champions League titles.
In 1975,Sun Myung Moon, the owner ofTongil Group, wanted to found a professional football club in South Korea. After theKorean Super League was founded in 1983, he tried to establish a club to participate in the league butChoi Soon-young, the head ofKorea Football Association, ignored Moon's interest due to religious reasons.[2]
Nevertheless, Tongil Group prepared the foundation of a new football club from 1986 and finally obtained a license from Korea Football Association as a club based inSeoul.[citation needed] Tongil Group had initially considered establishing the club in theHonam region but there was objection from the local community.[3]
The club was officially founded on 18 March 1989 asIlhwa Chunma Football Club, and became the sixth member of the Korean Super League.[1][4] The foundation ceremony was held in the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul.[3]
The club had signed six players includingKo Jeong-woon and appointedPark Jong-hwan as the head coach. The contract with Park was considered a lucrative deal at the time, with a signing bonus of 100 millionKRW paid alongside an annual salary of 48 million KRW.[3]
The club was successful from its beginning, winning its firstLeague Cup three years after its foundation in1992 and winning three consecutive league titles from 1993 to 1995. In 1995, K League clubs wanted to stop the club's third consecutive title and agreed to change the league format back to two stages with a championship playoffs system; however, Ilhwa Chunma still won the title.[5]
The clubwon its first Asian title in the same year, defeatingSaudi Arabian sideAl Nassr in the final to achieve a league and continental double.[citation needed]
The club was forced to move out of Seoul in 1996 following the implementation of theK League decentralization policy. Ilhwa Chunma moved to the city ofCheonan as the city council proposed converting theCheonan Oryong Stadium into afootball-specific stadium and building anothersports complex in Baekseok-dong.[citation needed] The club also changed its name toCheonan Ilhwa Chunma as a part of the policy.[6]
By the end of 1997, Ilhwa was still enjoying success. The club reached the final of the1996–97 Asian Club Championship and the1997 Korean FA Cup.[7] However, from 1998, the club went into a slump as a number of core players moved away from the club for various reasons.[8] One of these players was the club's goalkeeper,Valeri Sarychev, who was forced to move as the K League gradually introduced restrictions on appearances by foreign goalkeepers.[9]
As a result, Ilhwa finished at the bottom of the league for two consecutive seasons, in1998 and1999.[7] In mid-1999,Cha Kyung-bok offered to resign voluntarily due to the poor results.[10] On 21 November 1999, Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma were crowned as the winners of the1999 Korean FA Cup after beatingJeonbuk Hyundai Dinos 3-0 in the final, held atJeju Stadium.[11]
In 2000, the club moved to the Seoul satellite city ofSeongnam and renamed themselves toSeongnam Ilhwa Chunma. The move worked out well, as the rejuvenated club went on to win three consecutive K League titles from 2001 to 2003, as well as a league cup title in2002 and anA3 Champions Cup in2004. A disappointing2004 campaign saw them relinquish their title. The club's shock defeat at home to Saudi Arabian sideAl Ittihad in the ACL final the same year led to the resignation of their managerCha Kyung-bok.[citation needed]
UnderKim Hak-bum's management, the club bounced back to the forefront of South Korean football as they claimed their seventh league title in 2006, defeatingSuwon Samsung Bluewings 3–1 on aggregate in thechampionship playoff final. This was their seventh K League title, a record among all the K League clubs.[citation needed]
In the2007 season, they went undefeated for 22 consecutive league matches — the third longest streak in the history of the K League — before finally being defeated by Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2–1 on 15 July 2007. Seongnam finished the regular season of the2007 K League Championship in first place but were beaten 4–1 on aggregate in the championship final byPohang Steelers.[12]
Seongnam's former playerShin Tae-yong returned as caretaker manager in the2009 season before being officially appointed as manager from the following season as the club's successes continued. Seongnam won the2010 AFC Champions League, defeating local rivals Suwon in the quarter-finals and going on to beat Iranian sideZob Ahan 3-1 in the final in front of 27,000 fans in Tokyo'sNational Stadium.
Seongnam added anotherFA Cup trophy to their collection in 2011, beating Suwon 1–0 in the final.
In October 2013,Lee Jae-myung, the mayor of Seongnam, announced that Seongnam City Council had agreed to take over the club from Ilhwa Sports, and that it would henceforth be known asSeongnam FC.[13][14] In December 2013,Seongnam City officially took over the club from Ilhwa Co., Ltd.
They changed their symbol fromchunma, which was the symbol of the Unification Church, to the magpie, the symbol of the Seongnam city. The yellow color of their uniform was also replaced with black. Their first manager Park Jong-hwan, who had managed the club from 1988 to 1996, returned to the club as manager once again.[15]
The club played the first home game as Seongnam FC on 15 March 2014 againstFC Seoul, resulting in a 0–0 draw. Their first post-rebranding victory came on 26 March, when they beat bitter rivals Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2–0. The following month, manager Park Jong-hwan resigned after it was revealed that he had been assaulting players.[16]
After months of confusion, the club appointed Kim Hak-bum, who led the club during their glory years, as manager. His return turned out to be a success, as Seongnam not only escaped relegation but also won their third FA Cup trophy, beating FC Seoul in apenalty shoot-out.[17]
In the2016 season, afterIncheon's win overSuwon FC on the final day of the season, Seongnam finished 11th and were relegated to the second division for the first time in their history after being defeated byGangwon FC onaway goals rule in the promotion-relegation playoffs.[18]
Nam Ki-il was announced as the club's new manager on 6 December 2017, replacingPark Kyung-hoon.[19] He led Seongnam FC to promotion back to the first division just one season after their relegation.[20] Nam resigned his position as the manager of the club on 16 December 2019.[21]Kim Nam-il was appointed as the club's new manager on 23 December 2019 to lead the club in the2020 K League 1 season.[22]
In 2022, the club was once again relegated to K League 2.[23] The club finished the2024 K League 2 season at the bottom of the league table, but remained in the league as there is no promotion and relegation between K League 2 andK3 League.
The club has played their home games inTancheon Sports Complex since 2005. The stadium earned the nickname "Tancheon Fortress" (탄천요새) in the 2000s due to theclub's successful home record in the AFC Champions League.
The modern Seongnam Football Center, which serves as the club's training ground, was completed in December 2021, having been built at a cost of 26 billion won.[24] It includes a natural grass training field, sauna, weight room, physical therapy room, and medical facilities.[25]
Seongnam previously played their home games in theCheonan Oryong Stadium when the club was based in Cheonan.
On 22 August 1998, Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma had to finish the game againstJeonnam Dragons during thepenalty shoot-out, after 1–1 draw in extra time.[26]
According to K League regulations back then, teams were required to decide the winner with thegolden goal or the penalty shoot-out after the extra time, if the match score is level at the end of normal time.[27]
Since the stadium was not equipped with a floodlight system, they had to finish their games before sunset. Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma won the game by a draw.[28]
The club's main supporters group is called Black List.
Supporters of Seongnam have worked to protect the club amid rumors of its departure or dissolution.[29]
Seongnam's biggest rival team isSuwon Samsung Bluewings. Theirrivalry has been dubbed the Magyedaejeon.[30]
Seongnam won the1995 Asian Club Championship, defeatingAl-Nassr 1–0 afterextra time in the final.[31]
Seongnam reached the final of the2004 AFC Champions League. Despite winning the away leg 3–1, they lost the home leg 5–0 to Saudi Arabian clubAl-Ittihad and lost the tie 6–3 on aggregate.
On 13 November 2010, Seongnam beat Iranian clubZob Ahan FC 3–1 in thefinal of the2010 AFC Champions League.
This was Seongnam's second AFC Champions League title and qualified them directly into the quarter-finals stage of the2010 FIFA Club World Cup which they finished fourth.
Seongnam also placed fifth in theIFFHS Asian Clubs of the 20th century.[32]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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|
| List of Seongnam FC managers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Name | From | To | Season(s) | Notes |
1 |  Park Jong-hwan | 1988/09/16 | 1996/04/02 | 1989–1995 | |
| Won Heung-jae | 1990/04/27 | 1990/06/27 | 1990 | Unofficial caretaker | |
| Lee Jang-soo | 1996/04/03 | 1996/08/17 | 1996 | ||
2 | 1996/08/18 | 1996/12/05 | 1996 | ||
3 |  René Desaeyere | 1996/12/18 | 1998/09/08 | 1997–1998 | |
4 | Cha Kyung-bok | 1998/09/09 | 2004/12/01 | 1998–2004 | |
| Kim Hak-bum | 2004/12/07 | 2004/12/29 | 2004 | In charge in theFA Cup | |
5 | 2004/12/30 | 2008/11/27 | 2005–2008 | ||
| Shin Tae-yong | 2008/12/06 | 2010/02/17 | 2009 | ||
6 | 2010/02/18 | 2012/12/08 | 2010–2012 | ||
7 | An Ik-soo | 2012/12/14 | 2013/12/22 | 2013 | |
8 | Park Jong-hwan | 2013/12/23 | 2014/04/22 | 2014 | |
| Lee Sang-yoon | 2014/04/22 | 2014/08/26 | 2014 | ||
| Lee Young-jin | 2014/08/26 | 2014/09/05 | 2014 | ||
9 | Kim Hak-bum | 2014/09/05 | 2016/09/12 | 2014–2016 | |
| Gu Sang-bum | 2016/09/12 | 2016/11/20 | 2016 | ||
| Byun Sung-hwan | 2016/11/06 | 2016/11/20 | 2016 | Unofficial caretaker | |
10 | Park Kyung-hoon | 2016/12/01 | 2017/11/27 | 2017 | |
11 | Nam Ki-il | 2017/12/06 | 2019/12/16 | 2018–2019 | |
12 | Kim Nam-il | 2019/12/26 | 2022/08/24 | 2020–2022 | |
| Chung Kyung-ho | 2022/08/24 | 2022/10/15 | 2022 | ||
13 | Lee Ki-hyung | 2022/12/09 | 2024/03/20 | 2023–2024 | |
| Choi Chul-woo | 2024/03/22 | 2024/05/18 | 2024 | ||
14 | 2024/05/18 | 2024/08/06 | 2024 | ||
| Kim Hae-woon | 2024/08/06 | 2024/09/10 | 2024 | ||
15 | Jeon Kyung-jun | 2024/09/10 | 2024– | ||
| Season | Division | Tms. | Pos. | Korean Cup | AFC CL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 1 | 6 | 5 | — | — |
| 1990 | 1 | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| 1991 | 1 | 6 | 5 | — | — |
| 1992 | 1 | 6 | 2 | — | — |
| 1993 | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | — |
| 1994 | 1 | 7 | 1 | — | — |
| 1995 | 1 | 8 | 1 | — | Semi-final |
| 1996 | 1 | 9 | 8 | Quarter-final | Winners |
| 1997 | 1 | 10 | 8 | Runners-up | Runners-up |
| 1998 | 1 | 10 | 10 | Quarter-final | — |
| 1999 | 1 | 10 | 10 | Winners | — |
| 2000 | 1 | 10 | 3 | Runners-up | — |
| 2001 | 1 | 10 | 1 | Quarter-final | — |
| 2002 | 1 | 10 | 1 | Semi-final | — |
| 2003 | 1 | 12 | 1 | Round of 16 | Group stage |
| 2004 | 1 | 13 | 9 | Round of 32 | Runners-up |
| 2005 | 1 | 13 | 3 | Round of 16 | — |
| 2006 | 1 | 14 | 1 | Round of 32 | — |
| 2007 | 1 | 14 | 2 | Round of 16 | Semi-final |
| 2008 | 1 | 14 | 5 | Quarter-final | — |
| 2009 | 1 | 15 | 2 | Runners-up[34] | — |
| 2010 | 1 | 15 | 4 | Quarter-final | Winners |
| 2011 | 1 | 16 | 10 | Winners | — |
| 2012 | 1 | 16 | 12 | Round of 16 | Round of 16 |
| 2013 | 1 | 14 | 8 | Round of 16 | — |
| 2014 | 1 | 12 | 9 | Winners | — |
| 2015 | 1 | 12 | 5 | Quarter-final | Round of 16 |
| 2016 | 1 | 12 | 11 | Quarter-final | — |
| 2017 | 2 | 10 | 4 | Quarter-final | — |
| 2018 | 2 | 10 | 2 | Round of 32 | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 12 | 9 | Round of 32 | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 12 | 10 | Semi-final | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 12 | 10 | Round of 16 | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 12 | 12 | Round of 16 | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 13 | 9 | Round of 16 | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 13 | 13 | Quarter-final | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 14 | 5 | Second round | — |
| Season | Round | Opposition | Home | Away | Agg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Group B |  Osotsapa | 6–0[a] | 2nd | |
 Shimizu S-Pulse | 2–1[a] | ||||
 Dalian Shide | 1–3[a] | ||||
| 2004 | Group G |  Persik Kediri | 15–0 | 2–1 | 1st |
 Bình Định | 2–0 | 3–1 | |||
| Yokohama F. Marinos | 0–1 | 2–1 | |||
| Quarter-final |  Sharjah | 6–0 | 5–2 | 11–2 | |
| Semi-final |  Pakhtakor | 0–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | |
| Final |  Al-Ittihad | 0–5 | 3–1 | 3–6 | |
| 2007 | Group G | Dong Tam Long An | 4–1 | 2–1 | 1st |
| Shandong Luneng Taishan | 3–0 | 1–2 | |||
 Adelaide United | 1–0 | 2–2 | |||
| Quarter-final |  Al-Karamah | 2–1 | 2–0 | 4–1 | |
| Semi-final | Urawa Red Diamonds | 2–2 | 2–2 (a.e.t.) | 4–4 (3–5p) | |
| 2010 | Group E | Kawasaki Frontale | 2–0 | 0–3 | 1st |
| Melbourne Victory | 3–2 | 2–0 | |||
| Beijing Guoan | 3–1 | 1–0 | |||
| Round of 16 | Gamba Osaka | 3–0 | — | — | |
| Quarter-final | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | 4–1 | 0–2 | 4–3 | |
| Semi-final | Al-Shabab | 1–0 | 3–4 | 4–4 (a) | |
| Final |  Zob Ahan | 3–1[a] | — | ||
| 2012 | Group G | Nagoya Grampus | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1st |
| Tianjin TEDA | 1–1 | 3–0 | |||
| Central Coast Mariners | 5–0 | 1–1 | |||
| Round of 16 | Bunyodkor | 0–1 | — | — | |
| 2015 | Group F | Buriram United | 2–1 | 1–2 | 2nd |
| Gamba Osaka | 2–0 | 1–2 | |||
| Guangzhou R&F | 0–0 | 1–0 | |||
| Round of 16 | Guangzhou Evergrande | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–3 | |
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