The Korea Professional Football League (K League), led by President Kwon Oh-gap, organised the ‘K League Technical Director Seminar’ at the ON City Hotel in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, on 1–2 September. The seminar was organised to facilitate the comprehensive implementation of the Technical Director System, which is due to take effect in 2026, and to enhance the practical competencies of league and club officials. Around 70 executives and staff members from the league and affiliated clubs attended, highlighting the importance of the initiative.
The seminar was led by Spanish coach Julián Marín Bazalo, an Ekkono Licensed Coach, who trained participants in the key aspects of the Ekkono Method — a methodology employed by leading European clubs as well as national federations worldwide. His instruction addressed critical areas relevant to the role of Technical Director, including the formulation of club strategy, the design of game models, training methodologies, player scouting protocols, and the cultivation of club culture. Beyond being an outstanding Head Coach, Julián Marín is a UEFA Pro License holder with extensive expertise in the Ekkono Method and has contributed to the design and implementation of medium- to long-term football development programmes in Spain, Sweden, Thailand, and Japan.
In light of the seminar findings, the league will produce a ‘Technical Director Handbook’. This publication aims to stabilise and institutionalise the Technical Director System, and to foster a sustainable operational model for each club. It is anticipated that the handbook will yield long-term benefits for the collective advancement and professionalisation of the K League.
