Hong Myung-bo has stepped down from his position as head coach of South Korea’s national football team, just one day after the team faced an early exit from the World Cup. This decision follows a sharp rebuke from the country’s president regarding the team’s disappointing performance.
The 57-year-old former captain, who was coaching for the second time, experienced a World Cup exit for the second time, having previously faced the same fate in 2014. South Korea was anticipated to advance from Group A, which included co-hosts Mexico, South Africa, and Czechia. However, they lost both matches against South Africa and Mexico, finishing the group stage with only three points, their sole victory being a 2-1 win over Czechia.
“Over the past two years I asked myself the same question whenever I had to make important decisions, select players or prepare for training session and matches: ‘Is this the right choice for Korean football?’” Hong stated to reporters in Mexico, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. “I can not say every decision has been the right one, but I can tell you that I have made every decision with Korean football in mind.”
The resignation came shortly after President Lee Jae Myung criticized the team’s performance, labeling the situation as a result of “When loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence, and incompetent people are appointed to leadership positions, the outcome is all but inevitable,” and expressing his apologies to the nation.
“I offer my deepest apologies to the public for the profound disappointment caused by this unacceptable outcome. We will move swiftly to reform sports administration to ensure that nothing like this happens again,” Lee expressed in a post on X. “I will cheer for the national team from the bottom of my heart and hope that the team will be trusted and loved by the people once again.” he added, providing no further details.
Hong had already faced significant disapproval from fans and the media prior to the tournament. His decision to bench veteran captain Son Heung-min for the crucial match against South Africa, where a draw would have sufficed for progression, was a gamble that ultimately failed.
Having been booed during home games since his appointment in July 2024, Hong remarked upon his resignation, “I will cheer for the national team from the bottom of my heart and hope that the team will be trusted and loved by the people once again.”
