Who is Lee Min-sung? Korea Finally Appoints New U-22 Boss After Olympic Heartbreak

South Korea have officially named Lee Min-sung as the new head coach of the national U-22 team, tasking the 51-year-old with steering the next generation toward the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Olympic Games.

The appointment, announced by the Korea Football Association (KFA) on Monday, comes nearly a year after the departure of former boss Hwang Sun-hong, whose side failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. It marked Korea’s first absence from the men’s Olympic football tournament in 40 years, a stunning end to a remarkable run that had stretched back to the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.

A decorated player, a proven coach
Lee enjoyed a stellar playing career, featuring in over 200 K League matches for clubs such as Busan Daewoo Royals, Pohang Steelers, and FC Seoul. Internationally, he earned 67 caps for the senior national team and represented Korea at two FIFA World Cups. His most iconic moment came in the fabled “Tokyo Miracle” of 1997, when he scored a dramatic comeback goal in a World Cup qualifier against Japan — a strike still remembered fondly by Korean fans.

After retiring, Lee transitioned into coaching, beginning as a player-coach for Yongin City FC in 2010. He went on to serve in assistant roles at top-tier clubs like Guangzhou Evergrande, Gangwon FC, and Ulsan Hyundai. From 2018 to 2020, he worked as the lead assistant coach of the Korea U-23 team, helping the side win gold at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta–Palembang and lift the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship trophy.

Lee then embarked on a managerial career with Daejeon Hana Citizen in 2020, guiding the club to promotion during his tenure through May 2024.

A new vision for a wounded team
Hyun Young-min, head of the KFA’s technical committee, emphasized Lee’s tactical clarity and leadership credentials:
“Coach Lee has a strong footballing philosophy and presented a detailed plan for leading the team. His past achievements, both as an assistant during our U-23 triumphs and as a head coach who earned promotion, were key factors in our decision.”

Lee’s debut as U-22 coach will come in a friendly match against Australia on June 5 at the Yongin Mir Stadium, part of the Hana Bank Invitational series.

The weight of legacy
Korea’s U-23 team (often composed of U-22 players in preparation for Olympics and Asian Games) has been a powerhouse in continental competitions. The nation claimed gold at the Asian Games in 2014 and 2018, and bronze in 2010. In Olympic football, Korea’s proud record includes a fourth-place finish at London 2012 and consistent qualifications until the Paris 2024 setback.

Now, with Lee Min-sung at the helm, the mission is clear: restore Korea’s standing at the highest levels of youth international football and build toward redemption at LA 2028.