Cho Kwang-rae (, born March 19, 1954) is a former South Korean football player and manager. He is the current director of Daegu FC.

International career

Cho was selected for the university students' national team for the 1976 World University Football Championship in Uruguay. South Korea advanced to the final after defeating Brazil, Chile and the Netherlands in the championship. In the final against Paraguay, he won a crucial penalty, and Paraguay gave up the match after two Paraguayan players who didn't accept the judgement were sent off for hitting the referee. Cho played for the senior national team in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Cho contributed to South Korea's draw by providing an assist against Bulgaria, but he scored a fatal own goal in the last match that South Korea lost 3–2 to Italy. In the 1986 Asian Games, Cho consecutively scored team's first goals in the semi-finals and the final. South Korea won a gold medal in the tournament and Cho selected the final match against Saudi Arabia as the best match in his international career.

Style of play

Cho is regarded as one of the greatest South Korean central midfielders of all time. Nicknamed the "Computer Linker", Cho showed accurate passing skill and intelligent decision just like a computer calculated.

Managerial career

Cho began his coaching career in the K League after his retirement as a player. He also left successful results as a manager by leading Anyang LG Cheetahs to a K League title and improving the competitiveness of Gyeongnam FC, a young and weak team called "Cho's Kindergarten". Cho was appointed the manager of South Korean national team after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He tried a tactic based on short and quick passes after being inspired by Tiki-taka. However, it was criticised as being too hard for South Korean players, and was nicknamed the "Cartoon football", which meant a near impossible football in real life. He was sacked from the national team after losing to Lebanon in a qualifier of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Career statistics

International

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Honours

Player

Yonsei University ROK Army Daewoo Royals South Korea B South Korea Individual

Manager

Anyang LG Cheetahs Gyeongnam FC South Korea Individual