Ko Jong-soo

Playing career After joining Suwon Samsung Bluewings as a founding member in December 1995, Ko showed remarkable dribbles, passes and shots which led Suwon's prime. During his era, Suwon won 13 titles including two Asian Club Championships and two K Leagues. Especially, he was named the K League Most Valuable Player after contributing to his club's first-ever league title in 1998.

Ko was evaluated as the best Korean technician at the time, and his left foot is considered one of the greatest feet of all time in South Korea. He was expected to play for the national team in the 2002 World Cup, hosted by his country. However, he suffered a cruciate ligament injury in the 2001 season, and failed to recover his condition before the World Cup. This injury was also fatal to his playing career, and he could not show his former talent.

Managerial career Ko spent his coaching career in Suwon Samsung Bluewings from 2011 to 2017. In November 2017, Ko was appointed Daejeon Citizen manager by Kim Ho, the Daejeon Citizen president at the time and his manager during his playing career. However, he was convicted of corruption for improperly selecting an acquaintance's son for the team after the 2018 season. He received a suspended six-month prison sentence.

Career statistics Club

International

Results list South Korea's goal tally first.

Honours Player Suwon Samsung Bluewings K League 1: 1998, 1999, 2004 Korean FA Cup: 2002 Korean League Cup: 1999, 1999+, 2000, 2001 Korean Super Cup: 1999, 2000 Asian Club Championship: 2000–01, 2001–02 Asian Super Cup: 2001, 2002

Individual Korean League Cup top assist provider: 1997 K League 1 Most Valuable Player: 1998 K League 1 Best XI: 1998, 1999 Korean League Cup top goalscorer: 2000 AFC Goal of the Month: February 2001 AFC Player of the Month: March 2001

Manager Individual K League Manager of the Month: August 2018, September 2018