Chang was appointed manager of semi-professional club Daewoo FC in 1981 after leading Yonsei University to three domestic titles in the previous year, including senior tournament Korean President's Cup.[7] In his first season at Daewoo, he won the spring league and was selected as the best manager of the league.[8] Daewoo was reorganized as professional team Daewoo Royals in 1983, with it joining the K League. He conceded the K League title to Hallelujah FC by one point in his first professional season.
Chang was appointed Daewoo's general director before the next season, but returned to managerial position just after half a year due to his successor Cho Yoon-ok's poor results.[9] He successfully finished the rest of the season, winning the 1984 K League and the K League Manager of the Year Award.[10] He also led Daewoo to the 1985–86 Asian Club Championship title, making them become the first South Korean club to win the AFC Champions League (Asian Club Championship at the time).[11]