[Edaily Starin Lee Seok-Moo Reporter] Even the “championship specialist” couldn’t restore Lotte’s fall success. The Lotte Giants have parted ways with Manager Kim Tae-hyung after three years.

On the 24th, Lotte stated, “Manager Kim’s three-year contract has expired, and we have decided not to renew it,” adding, “The process to appoint the next manager is underway, and we plan to make an announcement as soon as a decision is made.” Head Coach Kang Seok-cheon is also leaving the team.

In October 2023, Lotte signed Manager Kim to a three-year contract worth a total of 2.4 billion won. The deal included a signing bonus of 600 million won and an annual salary of 600 million won. The team had high hopes for his leadership, as he had guided the Doosan Bears to the Korean Series for seven consecutive years from 2015 to 2021—a first in KBO League history.

However, there was no turnaround at Lotte. In his first year at the helm in 2024, the team finished in 7th place with a record of 66 wins, 74 losses, and 4 ties. Last year, they finished the first half in 3rd place, raising hopes for a postseason run, but they collapsed completely after suffering a 12-game losing streak in the second half. With a record of 66 wins, 72 losses, and 6 ties, they once again finished in 7th place. This year, the final year of his contract, they also finished 7th with a record of 64 wins, 77 losses, and 3 ties. Lotte’s streak of failing to reach the postseason has now extended to nine consecutive years.

It wasn’t as if there were no achievements at all. Young position players such as Son Seong-bin, Na Seung-yeop, Ko Seung-min, and Hwang Seong-bin grew into key contributors. Son Ho-young and Jeon Min-jae, acquired via trade, also contributed, and foreign hitter Victor Reyes anchored the lineup for three seasons. However, the team lacked significant roster reinforcement, such as through the signing of external free agents (FA). Combined with the front office’s passive support, Manager Kim’s tenure ended without overcoming the limitations of a thin roster.

The process of parting ways was also far from smooth. Lotte concluded its regular season on the 12th with a game against the Doosan Bears. When asked about a contract renewal at the time, Manager Kim replied, “Shouldn’t there have been some discussion about this earlier in the season?” He added, “I plan to go to Busan to meet with club officials, so I expect a decision within the next two days.”

However, the club’s official announcement did not come until 12 days later. In the meantime, speculation swirled about the possibility of Manager Kim’s re-signing, and the names of potential successors were repeatedly mentioned. Rumors even surfaced that Special Advisor Shigo Takatsu had turned down an offer to become manager. The club belatedly clarified, “We never made such an offer.” Ultimately, it wasn’t until the 23rd—11 days after the season ended—that the club informed Manager Kim that they would not be renewing his contract.

This stands in contrast to the Hanwha Eagles, who appointed a new manager and general manager early in the offseason. Hanwha decided to let Manager Kim Kyung-moon and General Manager Son Hyuk step down together before the end of the regular season. They subsequently appointed Manager Ryu Ji-hyun and General Manager Seok Jang-hyun, reorganized the coaching staff, and began preparations for the next season.

It is reported that the next manager has not yet been decided. While several names are being mentioned as candidates, no decision has been made. The future of General Manager Park Jun-hyuk, whose contract expires next month, also remains undecided. Lotte’s post-season training camp begins on November 4. The team must hurry to appoint a new manager and finalize the coaching staff before then.