Choi Yong-soo

Choi Yong-soo (; born 10 September 1973) is a South Korean professional football manager and former player. He competed for South Korea at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Playing career Choi played as a striker for Anyang LG Cheetahs (currently FC Seoul) in South Korea's K League. In 2000, he led Anyang to the K League title, receiving the K League MVP Award. He is considered one of the FC Seoul's legends.

Choi also played for the South Korean national team in 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Managerial career Choi was appointed as the assistant coach of FC Seoul in August 2006, and was promoted as the caretaker manager in April 2011. He was finally named a permanent coach after leading Seoul as a caretaker manager during the 2011 season. He led his team to the 2012 K League title and the 2013 AFC Champions League Final. They drew all two matches of the Champions League final against Guangzhou Evergrande, a Chinese club led by Marcello Lippi, but couldn't get the title due to the away goals rule. Nevertheless, Choi was named the AFC Coach of the Year.

On 21 June 2016, he was officially appointed as the manager of a Chinese club Jiangsu Suning. He finished as runner-up in the Chinese Super League and the Chinese FA Cup. On 1 June 2017, he officially resigned from Jiangsu Suning.

On 11 October 2018, Choi was officially reappointed as the manager of FC Seoul, which was being threatened with relegation. On 9 December 2018, Choi won the relegation playoffs against Busan IPark, successfully keeping Seoul in the K League. On 30 July 2020, he resigned from Seoul due to his poor results in the 2020 season.

On 17 November 2021, Choi started to manage Gangwon FC. On 14 June 2023, Choi was replaced by Yoon Jong-hwan at Gangwon FC.

Personal life Choi divorced his wife in November 2006 after a 15-month-long marriage. His former wife, a one-time contestant in a Miss Korea pageant, went through the legal procedures to take half the estate properties under Choi's name per their prenuptial agreement.

In Australia and Pakistan, Choi is known as "Younis Choi", given to him in recognition of his low, swerving shots on goal – much like the signature delivery bowled by Pakistani cricketer Waqar Younis.

Career statistics Club

International

Results list South Korea's goal tally first.

Managerial statistics

Honours Player FC Seoul K League 1: 2000

Sangmu FC Korean Semi-professional League (Autumn): 1997, 1998

South Korea U20

South Korea EAFF Championship: 2003

Individual K League Rookie of the Year: 1994 AFC Asian All-Star: 1997 K League All-Star: 1998, 1999, 2000 Korean Semi-professional League (Autumn) top goalscorer: 1998 Korean FA Cup top goalscorer: 1999 K League 1 Most Valuable Player: 2000 K League 1 Best XI: 2000

Manager FC Seoul K League 1: 2012 Korean FA Cup: 2015 AFC Champions League runner-up: 2013

Jiangsu Suning Chinese FA Cup runner-up: 2016

Individual K League 1 Manager of the Year: 2012 K League All-Star: 2013 AFC Coach of the Year: 2013 K League Manager of the Month: September 2014, March/April 2016, March 2019 Korean FA Cup Best Manager: 2015