Hanwha Eagles appoint Ryu Ji-hyun as manager on three-year deal
The former South Korea national team manager takes charge after Hanwha finished ninth in the 10-team KBO.
The Hanwha Eagles named Ryu Ji-hyun their new manager in South Korea on October 13, giving the former national team skipper a three-year contract as the KBO club seeks to recover from a ninth-place finish. The deal is worth 2 billion won (about US$1.48 million), according to Yonhap News Agency and an OSEN-origin report published by ChosunBiz.
Ryu, 55, led South Korea to the 2026 World Baseball Classic quarterfinals and an Asian Games gold medal. He previously managed the LG Twins, taking them to the postseason in 2021 and 2022.
Hanwha finished the 2026 season at 57-83-4, ninth in the 10-team league. Ryu’s appointment follows the club’s decision to part with Kim Kyung-moon when his contract expired.
Sources and context
- KBO's Hanwha Eagles name ex-nat'l team skipper Ryu Ji-hyun as new managerYonhap News Agency
- Hanwha appoints Ryu Ji-hyun as manager, Seok Jang-hyun becomes general managerChosunBiz (OSEN-origin report)
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