"Soccer Figures Must Disappear from Administration"… Lee Young-pyo's Stern Criticism of the Football Association

Criticism of Coach Hong Myung-bo's Appointment After Empty Talk
"Trusted the Association but Disappointed," Apologizes to Football Fans

Soccer commentator Lee Young-pyo criticized the administrative capabilities of the Korea Football Association (KFA), saying, "It felt like seeing the limitations of soccer people," and added, "I will never say 'let's trust the association' again." On the 9th, Lee Young-pyo said in a video released on the YouTube channel 'KBS Sports,' "I was very surprised by the announcement of the national soccer team coach," and "Since I saw Coach Hong Myung-bo's interview the day before saying he would not take the position, I really thought a foreign coach would be appointed this time."

Soccer commentator Lee Young-pyo commented on the administrative power of the Korea Football Association (KFA), saying, "It felt like seeing the limitations of soccer people," and added, "I will never say again that we should trust the association."
[Photo by KBS Sports YouTube channel]

He continued, "This time, I had expectations that the association would bring in a really good foreign coach," and "So I also appeared on radio shows saying, 'Let's wait and trust,'" he revealed. Then he pointed out, "I don't think I will ever say 'let's trust the association' again," and "The KFA's decision this time and the explanation for it will be difficult to gain sympathy from many people."

Above all, Lee Young-pyo strongly criticized the administrative skills of soccer people. He said, "At first, I felt that the KFA Strengthening Committee was working hard, but as time passed, what was said in the meetings immediately leaked outside," and "There was no security, internal conflicts arose, and seeing half of them resign, I saw the limitations of our soccer people," he lamented. Lee Young-pyo stated, "Including myself, our soccer people should not be involved in administration," and "I felt that for the time being, we literally need to disappear (from administrative fields)." He added, "Some say soccer people should perform related roles and select coaches... In my opinion, we are not yet qualified for that," and "I felt considerable regret over this association's decision."

Lee Young-pyo also recalled former coach Guus Hiddink, who achieved great success in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. Regarding the KFA's explanation that a domestic coach was appointed to establish discipline within the team, Lee said, "Coaches who have achieved good results in Europe also control their teams well," and "We experienced Coach Hiddink, and he controlled the Korean national team at an almost perfect level," he added.

Im Saeng, Technical Director General of the Korea Football Association, is briefing on the appointment of Hong Myung-bo, Ulsan HD coach, as the next national team manager at the Football Association meeting room in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 8th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 8th, the KFA held a briefing and announced, "Hong Myung-bo, Ulsan Hyundai (HD) coach, has been appointed as the new national team head coach." In response, Lee Young-pyo, a former vice president of the Football Association, criticized in an interview with KBS News on the 8th, saying, "K League fans cannot accept or understand this decision at all." He pointed out the backlash from soccer fans due to forcibly appointing the coach of a K League team in the middle of the season as the national team head coach.

Ulsan HD is currently competing for first place in K League 1 with Gimcheon Sangmu. Ulsan HD supporters group 'Cheoyong Warriors' strongly protested through official social media, saying, "We strongly condemn the worst situation of 'K League coach rotation,' which has caused great wounds to fans."

Meanwhile, Coach Hong will continue his position even after the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup held in June. His term is guaranteed until the Asian Cup held in Saudi Arabia in January 2027. The association proposed recruiting at least two European coaches to supplement tactics, and Coach Hong accepted this. Although the exact amount has not been disclosed, the association explained that he will receive a salary at the level of a foreign coach.