The Hanwha Eagles have arrived at a new starting line. With General Manager Son Hyuk leaving the club following manager Kim Kyung-moon, who led the team to last year's Korean Series, the baseball world's attention is focused on the composition of the next leadership. Among the issues, interest surrounding the new field boss is the hottest. As Ryu Ji-hyun, who manages the national baseball team, is being mentioned as a candidate, the question of whom Hanwha will hand the baton to has emerged as the biggest point of interest.

The Kim Kyung-moon Era Ends with the Final Game of the 2026 Season

Hanwha concluded the Kim Kyung-moon era with its final game of the 2026 season against the NC Dinos on the 10th. Kim signed with Hanwha in June 2024 on a three-year contract worth a total of 2 billion won, and his journey with the team came to an end after approximately two years and four months.

The Kim Kyung-moon era left a significant mark on Hanwha. After finishing eighth in the regular season in 2024, Hanwha advanced to the Korean Series the following year, showing a transformed appearance. It was the club's first Korean Series appearance in 19 years, since 2006. Although the team failed to reach the top, losing 1-4 to the LG Twins in the Korean Series, it was a meaningful achievement that a team long distant from championship contention returned to the center of the autumn stage. For Kim, it also marked his personal fifth Korean Series runner-up finish.

Ryu Ji-hyun Mentioned as Candidate for Next Manager

The task Hanwha must now solve is building a new leadership structure. With both the manager and general manager being replaced simultaneously, changes across the entire club operation are expected, going beyond simply appointing a new field commander.

The most closely watched figure is Ryu Ji-hyun. Ryu, who previously managed the LG Twins, has led the national baseball team since January of last year. As head of the national team, he achieved a quarterfinal berth at the sixth World Baseball Classic (WBC) and a gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Having demonstrated leadership in both professional baseball and international competition, his name has been floated as a candidate for Hanwha's next manager.

However, being mentioned as a candidate and actual appointment should be distinguished. While some observations suggest a high possibility of Ryu joining Hanwha, it is difficult to conclude based on the information presented so far that the club has made a final decision. Given that Hanwha is reportedly reviewing multiple candidates besides Ryu, the next managerial appointment remains a matter to watch until an official announcement.

The New Skipper's Task... What Kind of Baseball Will He Play?

Alongside the question of who the next manager will be, what kind of baseball the team will play is also drawing attention. Hanwha proved its competitiveness with a Korean Series runner-up finish in 2025, but it faces the task of establishing itself as a team that can consistently compete in the upper ranks. The new skipper will likely need to raise the team's competitiveness based on the existing roster while also considering long-term operational direction.

Son Hyuk's resignation as general manager is also noteworthy. With the heads of both the field and the front office changing simultaneously, how the new manager and general manager build a cooperative system could shape the club's operation. Multiple candidates are being mentioned for the vacant general manager position as well.

Ultimately, this appointment could be the first choice showing what kind of baseball Hanwha will pursue after the Kim Kyung-moon era. While Ryu Ji-hyun's name has been highlighted, the conclusion on the next field boss remains open. Attention is focused on whom Hanwha, having moved past the achievement of its first Korean Series appearance in 19 years and setting out to form a new leadership, will entrust with the managerial baton.

[The content related to next manager candidates is not a confirmed fact of official appointment, and the actual selection outcome may vary depending on the club's announcement. This article was written with the assistance of AI.]