[Exclusive] Ahn Jung-hwan Likely to Become Soccer National Team Coach... Coach Position Focuses on 'Park Hang-seo Variable'

Ahn Jung-hwan presenting a bouquet.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] It has been reported that football commentator Ahn Jung-hwan is highly likely to join the next coaching staff of the national football team, drawing significant attention.

On the 10th, after compiling statements from multiple football officials, it was confirmed that regardless of who becomes the new head coach, Ahn is virtually decided to join the new national team coaching staff. Accordingly, Ahn is expected to take the first step in his coaching career with the national team. Ahn has no prior coaching experience at the youth, adult, or professional levels. He had previously stated that this Qatar World Cup would be his "final commentary."

Ahn’s inclusion in the coaching staff has been rumored among domestic football coaches since last month. Most coaches believe that the reason Ahn was selected as one of the 25 participants for next year’s P-level coaching course announced by the Korea Football Association on the 7th of last month was conditional on joining the national team coaching staff. It is said that he was admitted to the P-level coaching course to appoint him as a national team coach. According to association regulations, even without a P-level coaching license, one can coach age-group national teams if currently enrolled in the course.

In fact, during the selection process for this P-level coaching course, the association newly established a rule giving priority to up to two applicants who have "played more than 50 A-match games for the national team, contributed to the country, and are recognized at the top level." Subsequently, they sent an official letter to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to increase the quota of participants from the usual 24 to 25.

Recently, with the head coach’s consent, the association has been customarily adding one or two coaches to the age-group national team coaching staff through a 'recommendation' method. When Paulo Bento was appointed in August 2018, domestic coaches Choi Tae-wook and Kim Young-min (Michael Kim) joined the staff. Ahn is also expected to be appointed to the coaching staff following this procedure.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the association has begun the process of selecting Bento’s successor. While roughly narrowing down the pool of candidates, some insiders have pointed to Park Hang-seo, the Vietnam national team coach, as a potential variable. A football industry official predicted, "The association will probably meet with Coach Park at least once to gauge his intentions." Coach Park agreed last October not to renew his contract with the Vietnam Football Federation. He is expected to step down after the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) Championship, held from the 20th of this month to the 16th of next month. His future plans have not yet been decided.

The Korea Football Association recently issued a statement expressing "serious concern" over the numerous reports about the new national team head coach. Posting on their official social media Instagram account, they said, "There are absurd reports claiming 'a Korean coach has been decided,' 'the salary is under 1 billion won,' and 'a coach with strong patriotism,' allegedly from association officials. Specific individuals are also being mentioned as leading candidates," emphasizing, "In conclusion, these reports are not true."

They continued, "According to regulations and procedures, the appointment of the national team head coach is handled by the association’s 'National Team Strengthening Committee.' The first meeting has not yet been held, and we are only beginning preparations for discussions. We will start by keeping all possibilities open and establishing the future direction for our national team." They also added, "We earnestly ask that no premature assumptions be made regarding the appointment of the national team head coach until the association’s official briefing."