The champion of K-League 1: Jeonbuk and the symphony of Gustavo Poyet

Poyet got hits first championship in the K-League 1. Credit: Jeonbuk on Facebook

The former Uruguayan midfielder, famous for his tenacious spirit in European football, completed the difficult, unpredictable tango of his coaching career at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. By guiding his team to a championship victory during his first major push, he didn't just win a title—he instantly ensured his legacy as the coach who delivered the ultimate prize. Though Gus Poyet's tenure at Jeonbuk is relatively brief, his impact has been instantaneous and profound.

Improving the performance of the 2024 season players was my great achievement during the tournament | Poyet

He’s injected this incredible energy and attitude straight into the Green and Gold squad. While we have to wait and see, the whole point of this journey is obvious—getting that record-breaking tenth star for Jeonbuk, hopefully by celebrating right here with their fans.

Andrea Campagno was one of the key players during the tournament. He is one of the top scorers with 13 goals. Credit: La 10co

However, the process was tough. Building up a rough team coming back for a relegation battle in 2024, injuries, and being a foreign coach in a League with a distant language. Coaching in South Korea has brought new nuances to his career: "I'm learning a lot. There's something new every day. For example, this week we trained with 29 players. Something that's never happened to me before in my career. Managing everyone is complicated, and you also have to leave nine players in the stands," Poyet emphasized back on March 2025, during the early stage of the tournament.

From England to Korea

The connection with the fans has been key to the Uruguayan's successful journey. Credit: K League.

From his early days at Brighton, Gustavo Poyet demonstrated an attacking and engaging playing philosophy. He helped the English team gain promotion to the Championship and maintained that status with a style of football that captivated the fans.

His time at the club left a sense of progress and a distinct footballing identity. The Uruguayan stamp was also present at Sunderland in England and the Greek national team, two experiences with ups and downs but lessons learned. Nowadays, he steps into a leadership role within a culture where the language presents a challenge, further marked by significant cultural contrasts compared to the Latin American influence. However, the central unifying element, the ball, has successfully bridged two nations through a dynamic and characterful style of play.

It reminds the Uruguay national team of 1995. Two prodigious center backs, a dynamic number 10, a titan in the 18-yard box, and two wingers with incredible speed and precision.