'Round of 16 Exit' Brazil and Netherlands Coaches Resign... Seven Coaches Step Down in World Cup

Korea, Mexico, Belgium, Spain, and Ghana Coaches Also Leave Their Teams

On the morning of the 6th (Korean time), at the 974 Stadium in Doha, Qatar, during the Round of 16 match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup between Korea and Brazil, Brazil's coach Tite is giving instructions to the players. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Among the 32 national team coaches who qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, seven are stepping down.

Among them, Brazil's Tite (61, Brazil) and the Netherlands' Louis van Gaal (71, Netherlands) saw their last matches end at the quarterfinals after failing to advance to the semifinals. Tite, who took over as Brazil's head coach in 2016 and was making his second World Cup challenge this time, had already openly stated that he would step down after the Qatar World Cup.

After Brazil's loss to Croatia in the quarterfinals on the 10th (Korean time), which ended their hopes of reaching the semifinals, Coach Tite once again announced at a press conference that he would resign as Brazil's head coach. He said, "I already announced my resignation a year and a half ago. I will not reverse my decision," adding, "Those who know me well are aware of this."

Brazil was considered the strongest favorite to win this World Cup. The Brazil team led by Tite won the 2019 Copa America, but with quarterfinal exits in both the 2018 Russia World Cup and this Qatar World Cup, they ultimately failed to claim the World Cup trophy.

On the 21st of last month (local time), at the Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar, during the first match of Group A in the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage between Senegal and the Netherlands, Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal is high-fiving Vincent Janssen. Photo by Yonhap News

Like Tite, Louis van Gaal had already planned to retire. He is over 70 years old and has been battling prostate cancer. Van Gaal did not attend the Qatar World Cup group draw held in April, and his illness was revealed when assistant coach Danny Blind attended in his place. Van Gaal stated, "Prostate cancer is generally not considered seriously dangerous, but in my case, it is quite severe," and added, "I will retire after this tournament."

Both coaches' final matches were heartbreaking as they fought fiercely for 120 minutes including extra time but ultimately lost in penalty shootouts. Brazil lost to Croatia 2-4 in penalties, and the Netherlands lost to Argentina 3-4.

South Korea's national team coach Paulo Bento (Portugal) is also leaving the team. Although there were talks of contract renewal after Korea reached the Round of 16 for the first time in 12 years, Bento ultimately stepped down due to disagreements over contract terms.

Other coaches leaving their teams after this World Cup include Gerardo Martino (Argentina) of Mexico, Roberto Mart?nez (Spain) of Belgium, Luis Enrique (Spain) of Spain, and Otto Addo (Ghana) of Ghana. Mexico, Belgium, and Ghana were all eliminated in the group stage, while Spain lost to Morocco in the Round of 16 via penalty shootout.

Besides these seven, there may be more coaches stepping down after this World Cup. Portugal's Fernando Santos (Portugal), who has led the team for over eight years since 2014 and is 68 years old, may leave after the quarterfinal match against Morocco. Additionally, Diego Alonso (Uruguay), who took over as Uruguay's coach last year after ?scar Tab?rez was dismissed due to poor results after 15 years, is also rumored to be facing dismissal following Uruguay's group stage elimination.