South Korean Heo Jae Won has been appointed as the new head coach of Life Football Club. Life FC
Life Football Club has expressed strong confidence in its newly appointed head coach, Heo Jae Won, to lead the team towards success in the upcoming 2025–2026 season. The new coach joins the club after a disappointing season.
Life FC officially announced the appointment of the South Korean coach Monday evening. He will take over the leadership role from former head coach Jorg Peter Steinebrunner, whose contract with the club was terminated on June 6.
Not only was Steinebrunner let go, but the club also announced the termination of the contract with general manager Kak Mesa on Sunday.
In addition, several foreign players including Samual Erik Strong, Okoro Osa Orobosa, Kipson Atuheire, and Seo-in Kim, as well as local players like Lin Daradevid, Chansara Pich, San Sovathe, Meng Sophea, Rong Pisey, and Teath Kimheng, also had their contracts ended.
This extensive overhaul — removing both management staff and numerous players — is believed to be a result of the team’s poor performance in the 2024–2025 season.
Life FC finished in 10th place in the Cambodian Premier League (CPL), with a record of 4 wins, 5 draws and 19 losses. They were also eliminated from the Hun Sen Cup in the round of 16 after losing to Kirivong Sok Sen Chey with scores of 2-0 and 3-2 over two legs.
The club (in pink), had a woeful 2024-25 CPL season, with a record of 4 wins, 5 draws and 19 losses. Life FC
Nevertheless, Life FC has expressed confidence in the South Korean coach’s ability to bring football experience and rekindle hope among the youth, as well as lead the team to future success.
“With years of experience and talent in football coaching, Heo Jae Won will bring football expertise to inspire the youth of Life Football Club and guide the next generation of Cambodian footballers during this exciting new season,” said a club statement.
“We are looking forward to a competitive new season full of unity and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned for upcoming news and get ready to support our team for the new season!” it added.
Heo Jae Won was previously a member of South Korea’s national youth teams (U-20 and U-23) before starting his professional. Standing 1.87 metres tall, he played as a defender for five clubs in the South Korean League from 2006 to 2015.
In 2016, he began playing abroad with Al-Khor Sports Club in Qatar and Dibba Football Club. In 2017, he joined Pahang FC in Malaysia’s top league before returning to South Korea in 2018 to play for Jeonnam Dragons.
It remains to be seen whether his debut as a head coach in Cambodia will turn the club’s fortunes around or lead to unexpected setbacks similar to those faced by former coach Steinebrunner. The head role at Life FC is considered one of the most precarious in the Kingdom, with even veteran coach Prak Sovannara previously dismissed by the club.
