Park Tae-ha’s Pohang Steelers 2024: Surpassing expectations and leading the K-League – tactical analysis

As the 2023 season drew to a close, it would be fair to suggest that the Pohang Steelers were living on cloud nine, securing one of the most memorable seasons in recent club history.

Despite falling agonizingly short in the title race, a second-place finish to go along with Korean Cup silverware meant that supporters were left optimistic and excited heading into 2024.

However, the good times have failed to last since being crowned champions in 2013, with Pohang succumbing to another off-season riddled with key outgoings for both the playing and coaching staff.

With fan-favourite Kim Gi-dong heading over to become the FC Seoul manager before the upcoming season, Pohang needed a worthy replacement to raise club spirits and maintain their impressive form.

And who better to recruit than Park Tae-ha, who embodies Pohang Steelers in every sense- with the one-club man now leading his team from the sidelines.

Even though the Pohang Steelers maintain the third lowest market value in the K-League 1 (€9.55m), Park Tae-ha has reinvigorated and repaired a squad who were shaken by the loss of their previous manager, with the Steelers sat atop the division after 24 matches.

His implementation of a new style of football has matched the flair and innovation that Pohang has been associated with in recent times.

This tactical analysis will begin to break down how the Pohang Steelers have been effective on both sides of the ball, overcoming early struggles to cement themselves as a genuine title contender.

Our analysis will aim to highlight how Park Tae-ha’s tactics have allowed his side to be clinical and efficient in all areas of the pitch.

Steelers’ New Style

Under Kim Gi-dong, the Pohang Steelers had excelled in producing quick attacking sequences that emphasised rapid short passing.

Unsurprisingly, the loss of what the fans had coined ‘Steel-ki taka’ football left many wondering how the team would fare with a new manager and a squad incredibly familiar with the 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1.

Well, Park Tae-ha has brought along his own variation of the 4-4-2, providing an element of comfortability during a hugely important transitional phase.

Despite the similar starting roles, the new-look Pohang Steelers have been drilled on completing long passes to bypass the centre of midfield, focusing on the aerial abilities of their striking partnership.

We have also seen Pohang transition into a 3-4-3 at times, allowing their wingers to stretch the pitch and increase their numerical superiority in wide areas when the wingbacks can offer important overlapping and underlapping runs. 

Data Analysis

When looking at the underlying statistics so far in the K-League 1, it is clear why many are worried about the Steelers’ ability to produce magic in the key moments.

One of their biggest failures in the last campaign was their inability to get over the line in close matches. Their season featured gut-wrenching draws, and they missed out on crucial points when it came to crunch time.