The Doosan Bears fired three coaches Friday, including pitching coach Kim Jeong-soo, after the club’s wild-card elimination by the LG Twins, the first major personnel moves in what executives promised will be a sweeping offseason overhaul.

Coaching changes

General manager Kim Min-hyuk said bench coach Park Sang-hun and minor-league coordinator Lee Min-ho were also dismissed, effective immediately. The Bears went 73-66-5 in the regular season but were swept aside in the wild-card round, scoring only two runs in two games at Jamsil.

Kim Jeong-soo had overseen a staff that posted a 3.86 team ERA, fourth in the league, yet struggled with late-inning leads in September. The GM said the club needs “a fresh voice” before Seoul Sports Complex undergoes redevelopment that will temporarily displace the Bears.

Stadium uncertainty

Doosan is scheduled to share Gocheok Sky Dome with the Kiwoom Heroes while Jamsil is rebuilt ahead of the 2030 youth Olympics. Managers said coaching stability is critical while travel routines change.

Player futures

Star outfielder Kim Jae-hwan can test free agency this winter. The Bears hold negotiation rights but face competition from LG and KT, both flush with playoff revenue. Agents said Kim’s decision may hinge on whether Doosan hires a manager with a track record developing sluggers.

Fan reaction

Season-ticket holders on online forums debated whether coaching was the true problem or whether ownership underinvested after three straight missing years from the Korean Series. Merchandise sales fell 12 percent year on year, club disclosures show.

For sports readers, Friday’s firings are the opening bell of a winter that will reshape one of Korea’s most storied franchises.

The Bears have not fired manager Lee Seung-yeop, but speculation mounted that he may resign to protect players. Lee led Doosan to multiple championships earlier in his tenure; a rebuilding phase at a temporary home stadium complicates his legacy.

KBO headquarters said it will monitor the coaching purge for compliance with league interview rules requiring teams to consider minority coaching candidates. Doosan pledged to follow the process when naming replacements.

League context

With Samsung and Kia opening their playoff series Sunday, Doosan’s offseason begins earlier than rival Seoul club LG, which advanced past the wild card before falling to Kia. The Bears’ attendance ranked sixth in the league despite playing in the largest market, pressuring ownership to spend on stars or risk fan drift.

Prospect pipeline

Minor-league pitching stats improved in the second half, but the Bears promoted only one rookie reliever to the wild-card roster. Fans argued the coordinator’s dismissal should coincide with clearer call-up criteria for young arms.