[Exclusive] Football Association Proposes Contract Renewal to Bento After Advancing to Round of 16... Considers Choi Yong-soo and Kim Hak-beom if Deal Fails

Paulo Bento, Head Coach of the National Football Team
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Korea Football Association is reportedly considering renewing the contract of Paulo Bento, the coach who led the South Korean national football team to the Round of 16 in the Qatar World Cup.

According to football officials on the 5th, the association proposed contract renewal negotiations to Coach Bento after the team secured its place in the Round of 16. The negotiations are expected to begin after the national team’s World Cup matches have concluded.

Currently, Bento’s contract runs through the World Cup finals. Initially, the association attempted to renew Bento’s contract before the World Cup. They aimed to extend his contract to maintain continuity of the national team through the Asian Cup, which will be held in Qatar in June next year. However, the two sides reportedly failed to reach an agreement due to differing views. The association proposed a 1+3 year contract to Bento, extending through the Asian Cup in June next year with a performance review before further extension, but Bento demanded a four-year contract guaranteed through the next World Cup, resulting in no agreement. With the recent proposal for negotiations, the possibility of contract renewal has reopened.

However, it is uncertain whether the negotiations will proceed smoothly. There is a possibility that Bento may reject the negotiations. Having led the national team to the Round of 16, Bento may demand a higher salary. It is known that Bento currently receives an estimated annual salary of 2.5 billion KRW from the association. He is also likely to insist on his demand for a four-year contract guaranteed through the next World Cup. It is unclear whether the association can accept all of Bento’s demands.

The association is reportedly preparing a list of candidates for the next head coach in case the contract with Bento falls through. A football industry insider told this publication, "Within the association, opinions are divided between Gangwon FC coach Choi Yong-soo and former U-23 national team coach Kim Hak-bum as alternatives to Coach Bento."