# Only SSG is Different? Why did he sign a two-year contract with Lee Sung-yong

Currently, all nine of the 10 KBO League clubs, except SSG, have signed three-year contracts with the head coach. **[토토](https://www.sportstotohot.com)** The total amount of contracts ranges from 1 billion won to 2.4 billion won, but the contract period is the same as three years, whether it is new or renewed. Not only veteran coaches such as LG Twins' Yeom Kyung-yeop and Lotte Giants' manager Kim Tae-hyung, but also novice coaches such as Lee Seung-yeop Doosan Bears, Park Jin-man Samsung Lions, Kang In-kwon NC Dinos, and Choi Won-ho Hanwha Eagles.

In response, SSG general manager Kim Sung-yong explained, It's our team's keynote. The SSG club has insisted on a two-year contract for a novice head coach since its predecessor SK Wyverns days. He signed the first two-year contract with former coach Trey Hillman in 2017 and former coach Kim Won-hyung in 2021.

He also agreed to a two-year contract with former coach Kim Yong-hee, a former head coach of other clubs. On the other hand, he signed a three-year contract with Yeom Kyung-yeop, a former Nexen Heroes current Kiwoom head coach, and former acting coach Lee Man-soo, a former star player. Most command towers prefer a three-year term guarantee. SSG insisted on the contract period according to the club's stance, but negotiations with the No. 1 contract fell apart.

There are advantages and disadvantages of a short contract period. If the club judges that the performance of the head coach is insufficient, it can search for a new head coach without any burden. It provides motivation for the coach to "show within two years." Coincidentally, former coach Hillman and former coach Kim Won-hyung, who signed a two-year contract, won the Korean Series in the final season of the contract. Hillman returned to the U.S. due to family health problems, and former coach Kim Won-hyung left after a year, but he also signed a three-year contract. Instead, if the team's performance is poor in the last second season of the contract, there is also a disadvantage of weakening leadership early.

Kim Sung-yong, the general manager, explained, It is a sufficient period to consider whether to renew the contract by judging the performance in two years. A club official said, One year is enough to judge the quality of the novice coach, adding, There are cases where we can't do this or that due to poor team performance with a three-year contract.

Coach Lee Sung-yong, who has been in KT for 10 years and has been in charge of coaching and general manager-cultivation, was satisfied with the two-year contract. Coach Lee said, The contract period doesn't matter. It's a good part that there's a stance of the club, he said. Isn't it a fair opportunity for everyone? If I show good performance over the past two years and remodel well, the club will decide to renew the contract, he said.