[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] "Why don't I discuss tactics with the players? I don't ask the players whether we should play 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. Instead, I can take steak orders. I can ask the players whether they want their steak well-done or medium-rare, and tell them to choose between rice and pasta as a side dish."
Paulo Bento, the head coach of the Korean national football team (53), said this in an interview with the Portuguese local newspaper 'Expresso' in June 2012 when he was the manager of Portugal. Bento was born in a small village near Lisbon, Portugal. During his childhood, he helped his parents who ran a restaurant by serving customers. So, he knows steaks as well as football.
This is where his interview answer came from. The final authority to decide football tactics lies with the coach. Such a coach cannot take tactical orders or discuss tactics with players. At the time of the interview, Portugal doubted Bento's abilities. Despite having the 'superstar' Cristiano Ronaldo, Bento was criticized for his stubbornly defensive football with the national team. Some accused him of being an 'uncommunicative' coach who did not accept players' opinions. His response was his own steadfastness and belief that everyone must respect and fulfill their roles. Bento also emphasized, "I am the person who helps the team prepare tactics well, and the players are the ones who execute them."
Bento's steadfastness shone brighter in Korea than in Portugal. Many doubted his football, but he proved he was right at the Qatar World Cup. The round of 16 match against Brazil at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, at 4 a.m. Korean time on the 6th, is welcome in that sense. Brazil, ranked number one in the world and considered the strongest team ever, is the perfect opponent to prove his football beliefs.
Bento took office as the head coach of the Korean national football team on August 23, 2018, and reportedly worked hard for four years to maintain his 'build-up football.' Notably, there are reports that he significantly reduced contact with the Korea Football Association's technical committee, which draws attention. According to football insiders, Bento avoided communication with technical committee members who had the authority to express opinions on player selection and team management. It seems to have been an unavoidable choice to keep those who tried to intervene beyond their authority away and to prevent the team's framework he established from being shaken. Until January, he communicated only with Kim Pan-gon, chairman of the National Team Strengthening Committee, but after Kim resigned, Bento reportedly made most decisions about the national team alone. Even when he visited Doha before the Qatar World Cup to inspect the base camp, although some staff accompanied him, Bento reportedly decided all matters regarding the base camp and training grounds.
Bento also paid little attention to public opinion. At official press conferences, he spoke as little as possible and always worked behind the scenes with coaching staff and close associates regarding player evaluation and selection. While he appeared indifferent by not selecting Lee Kang-in several times during World Cup preparations, in fact, he was regularly monitoring Lee internally and planned to utilize him during the World Cup. A football insider told this publication, "Portugal and Spain are geographically close, so football-related information frequently flows between them. Coach Bento also received information about Lee Kang-in's characteristics, performance, and physical condition through football sources in Spain and Portugal and was considering whether to bring him to the World Cup."
The national team players greatly trust and support Bento. This seems to be the driving force behind our team's advancement to the round of 16. Although Bento was suspended and could not sit on the bench during the last Group H match against Portugal on the 3rd, he showed his affection and passion for the team with intense reactions from the stands. After the match, he hugged each player one by one in the corridor outside the locker room. 'Captain' Son Heung-min drew attention by saying after defeating Portugal, "I am so happy to be able to share Coach Bento's last match on the bench."
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