By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Oct. 24 (Yonhap) -- When Kim Gi-dong took the helm for FC Seoul before the 2024 season, he had promised the club's supporters that he would bring them a title within three years.
On Saturday, Kim delivered on that pledge, as FC Seoul clinched the K League 1 championship with five matches to spare.
FC Seoul played Gangwon FC to a 1-1 draw at Seoul World Cup Stadium and improved to 67 points on 20 wins, seven draws and six losses. Ulsan HD FC remained in second place with 51 points, and they will not be able to catch FC Seoul even if they win out and FC Seoul lose all remaining matches this year.
FC Seoul players toss their head coach Kim Gi-dong in the air to celebrate their K League 1 title following a 1-1 draw against Gangwon FC at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
"In January 2024, I said right here that I would bring back glory for this club and win a title within three years. I am pleased that I overcame so many challenges to get this team to the top," Kim said. "Above all, I am really happy that I kept my word to our fans."
This was FC Seoul's first title since 2016 and also Kim's first championship as head coach in the K League 1.
"Winning this league title was one of many things that I have wanted to accomplish," Kim said. "I am obviously excited, but at the same time, I have to keep moving forward to achieve more goals."
Asked what his other goals were, Kim smiled and said, "I won't tell you.
"It could be winning another K League 1 title or winning the Asian Football Confederation Champions League trophy," Kim added. "I have several goals in mind, and I want to keep going without stopping here."
Kim, who had won the K League Coach of the Year award for Pohang Steelers earlier in his career, had FC Seoul finish in fourth place in 2024 and then in sixth place in 2025. Along the way, he has been booed at his home stadium.
FC Seoul players and coaches celebrate with their K League 1 championship banner after a 1-1 draw against Gangwon FC at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
"I felt that whatever criticism I faced would become part of a narrative once I won a title," Kim said. "I knew I had to prove myself with results, and that is what kept me going through all that adversity."
Kim said he has been in constant talks with the club's management over the direction of FC Seoul. He said he still wonders whether FC Seoul should go after big-name stars to put fans in the seats or whether they should try to put a winning squad on the pitch first and draw supporters by winning championships.
"We draw more fans than any club in the league, and we are supposed to be one of the top teams," Kim said. "We have to set a definitive path for ourselves going forward."
Kim, who is in the final year of his three-year contract, said he would love to stay on longer.
"We have established a good structure here, and I enjoy being around these great players," Kim said. "Unless something drastic happens, I want to coach this team for a long time."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
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