Cha Bum-kun, born on May 22, 1953 in Hwaseong, South Korea, is a legendary figure in Asian football history. Nicknamed “Cha Boom” for his powerful shot and outstanding physical ability, the South Korean footballer became one of the most influential Asian players of his time and managed to open the doors of European football for other footballers from his continent.
Cha Bum-kun’s first steps in professional football
Cha began his career in South Korea, at a time when football in that country was not yet professionalized. In his early days, he played for the army team, ROK Air Force FC, and then for Seoul Trust Bank, where his abilities made him stand out among his peers.
His first great achievement came when he was called up to the national team at the age of 18, where he debuted with the South Korean shirt. From then on, at major events such as the 1974 Asian Games and various local competitions, Cha attracted attention for his incredible speed and agility in the game. These were attributes that, in the not-too-distant future, would earn him a unique opportunity in European football.
Arrival in Europe: the German Bundesliga
In 1978, the prominent South Korean athlete made history by signing for Eintracht Frankfurt and becoming one of the first Asian players to compete in an elite European league.
Although few knew his name in Germany upon his arrival, he quickly built a solid reputation by demonstrating his skill and commitment on the court.
With Eintracht, Cha had the opportunity to adapt to the European style of play and become one of its key players. In his first season, he scored 12 goals in 31 games, helping his team win the UEFA Cup in 1980, one of the most coveted European titles at the time.
His success with the German team opened the doors to a new opportunity in 1983 with Bayer Leverkusen, where he continued his winning streak.
In 1988, the player won his second UEFA Cup and established himself as one of the most outstanding foreign forwards in the Bundesliga. During his time in Germany, he scored 98 goals in 308 games, an impressive achievement that positioned him as one of the league’s top scorers.
His career in the South Korean national team
Cha Bum-kun’s career in the South Korean national team was also notable. He represented his country in several international tournaments. Although he had to reduce his participation in the national team due to his commitments in Germany, his performance left a mark in the competitive history of the national team. With a total of 55 goals in 135 games, Cha remained the South Korean national team’s top scorer for many years.
His coaching career
After retiring as a player in 1989, Cha Bum-kun decided to continue his career in football. He founded the “Chaboom FC” football school and began training young talents in Korea. He also accepted the challenge of managing several teams in the South Korean league, including Hyundai Horangi.
In 1997, he took over as coach of the South Korean national team and led the team to qualify for the 1998 World Cup. However, the Asian country’s participation in the tournament did not go as expected and Cha left the position after a resounding defeat against the Netherlands.
In 2004, the former soccer player returned to the club scene as coach of Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Under his guidance, the team achieved considerable success, winning two league titles, the Korean Cup, the League Cup and other national trophies.
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